Eternally Never Yours

by EchoEternal

Slash-fic, M/M. A hopeless romantic wonders if he'll ever have what it takes to end a tedious charade. Tired of the lies and secrets, he writes to his beloved about what they can never have. From there, the rest spirals out of his control. Rated T, just in case.

45. Chapter 45

Hello, and welcome to this story's new longest chapter. A lot of lore gets added or expanded upon here, and probably features a bigger departure from the usual Mario continuity than most of the story. But, I'll let you get into that. So, joining Peach and Luigi on Star Hill, enjoy!

...

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[Peach]

There's a kind of beauty to Star Hills that is simply undeniable, no matter your situation involving the mountains. And normally, I'm not the type to pour over my surroundings, but even I'm caught up taking it all in.

Blues and violets color the world around us. Round, dark blue boulders fill in some terrain spaces, while the violet grass and plants take other spots. Every so often, a sparkling cyan and star-shaped stone replaces them. The road shifted from a dusty mauve to a deep indigo, and the way ahead only seemed to brighten into a navy, and finally a neon blue in the far distance. Leaves coated the pathway and the tree branches swayed delicately under a gentle breeze, a few leaves blowing down to coat the ground we tread.

My eyes linger over a bush of thistles, and I slow down. Next to them are hydrangeas, and I can't help but reach out, let my hand lightly trace them. A slight shiver hits my arm, and I pull back a bit, not wanting to rip the petals away.

"Careful," advised Merle, and I snapped back to reality. "There are thorns in the bushes." His eyes studied me for just a moment beyond his hood, as he turned away. "Bit of devil's snare might even be lodged between those too."

As I lowered my hand, I blinked and studied him as he led my friends onward. His indigo cloak billowed behind him as he hiked, helping his ethereal aesthetic. Pulling away from the plants, I continued after him.

Though his son was ahead alongside him, there was something of a distance between the two. Younger and smaller, his curiosity continued to get the better of him, as he glanced back every so often at my friends and I, before being silently scolded by his father's veiled glares and just the slightest head turns.

"They still rub me the wrong way too." Daisy's voice interrupted my studies, and I turned to her. "How were they able to just…get us out of danger, just like that?"

"There was a mention of his father's vision from this Merle," I recalled. "If they're the second and third generation of a family with precognition—"

"Those are just generations that we know of," realized Daisy. "But even without that, are they so powerful for this land that they can just whisk us away?"

"Remember that he lied about that. Their power may not be much, but their words based on reputation can be." I placed a hand on my hip and gazed ahead at the father and son duo. "But they've mentioned going out for training, so we need to get along, regardless of our reservations."

"True, we definitely need that, and it's better that we finally have a guide…"

"Getting to know him better wouldn't hurt though."

"Wait, what?"

Before Daisy could even fathom a protest, I hastened my pace and fell in step near Merle. He glanced back and noticed my approach, slowing just enough to walk in line with me. His son seemed to fall back behind us, though still kept his distance between himself and my friends.

"So, I take it that you're looking to discuss something with me?"

"Just you in general." I shrugged to his analytic gaze. "My friends and I are grateful that you helped us with that hamlet back there, but we have nary a clue on who you are."

"My name is Merle—"

"Past that." He chuckled as I folded my arms. "I apologize, but the time for simple introductions has certainly passed."

"My father would contest that point with a line like, 'there's always a time for cordial greetings,' or something like that." Merle shook his head. "But, I suppose I'm not quite my father, as I do agree."

"Who is your father?"

"His name is Merlon, a great and powerful Shaman that has a gift enabling him to see the future." His gloved hand reached into his hood, and I imagined him scratching his chin. "I suppose you already deduced that too."

"From what that Shaman chieftain mentioned, yes." My arms tightened while I maintained my attention on him. "What else?"

"He always cautioned me that a princess would be difficult to please," Merle teased. Neither of us laughed, so he coughed to fill the void. "Right, well. I'm the son of such a fortuneteller, perhaps somewhat capable of mystic divination practices, though not quite with the prowess of my father. Still, at least I can conjure some magic, that's a plus at times." He shrugged and lowered his arms. "Other than that, I suppose my greatest feat is that I'm father to three wonderful children, one of whom happens to be with us."

"Three?"

"Oh, yes, I also have twin girls." There was a glint of joy or pride in Merle's eyes, told by the way they seemed to turn up and sparkle. "Very powerful Shaman pair, they do almost everything together. Couldn't be prouder of them, though they can be a bit rambunctious at times." He glanced back to his son tailing us. "Merlow, would you like to introduce yourself?"

"You just did, Dad."

"No, that…I…oh, I suppose I did." Merle sighed. "He's my youngest."

"Wow, great intro, Dad, thanks."

"You were offered a chance," he teased his son. "Perhaps you'll be a little more polite? We are in the presence of the Mushroom Kingdom's Princess Peach, after all." Something about their eyes seemed to connect, and there was just the slightest hint of firmness in Merle's voice.

"…Sorry, Your Highness."

"It's fine, and I'm glad to make your acquaintance, Merlow." Though he nodded, I gathered he could care less. With a nod back, I returned my attention to Merle. "And, what about their mother?"

Merle's feet skidded a bit on the dirt and his body became a bit rigid, but he managed to press on. "…She's gone."

"My apologies."

"Please, you couldn't have known." Merle breathed out and tried to loosen his body, shaking a bit under the cloak. "Talking of my children invites questions on their mother, obviously."

"It was still callous of me," I persisted.

"Nonsense, it's fair." He shook his head. "Don't worry. And, before it comes up, my mother is also long gone as well."

"Oh, I wasn't—"

"Quite all right," he maintained. "It's best to clear that air while it's soured." Merle closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again. "At any rate, we're a family of five Shamans, and we live here in Star Hill among our people. My father's told of fortunes and prophecies for years, I tend to either help him or help my children practice their abilities. My main goal is to ensure that my family lives a mostly peaceful life, nothing more or less." He blinked and fully brought his attention back to me. "Was there anything in particular you'd like from our profiles?"

"No, I…I suppose not."

"Simply looking to learn about your guide for Star Hill and his abilities?"

"Yes."

"Sadly, I'm not very interesting. Perhaps the least so of my family, as they'll be delighted to tell you," joked Merle, his tone more upbeat again. "But, I'm versed well enough of magical arts, and Celestial Valley is the perfect spot to help with honing magic."

"Can you tell me more about it?"

"Being a valley, it rests between mountains…" Another fit of giggles from him as I rolled my eyes and sighed. "It's a terrain that helps Shamans, and other spell users, with adapting and learning how to best use magic. I could explain more, but it's probably more interesting to see unfold when we actually get there, and helps with my teaching by providing examples."

"Ah…I see." There was a brief pause, and he waited. "Or…I will…see."

"Really? That does nothing to tickle you at all?"

"Not my type of humor."

"Disappointing, but expected." He turned his head just a bit, checking behind us. "How about your fellow princess? Do you think she'd get a kick, or does she just like eavesdropping?"

Twisting back, I spotted Daisy, who scrambled to redirect her attention at a star stone nearby. Squeezing my eyes shut and pinching my brow, I swung back to Merle.

"Once more, you have my apologies."

"Nothing to worry about. To be perfectly honest, I find that cute and endearing," he revealed. "After all, it reminds me of too many times where I would catch my children acting similarly." He checked back behind him. "Isn't that right, Merlow?"

"No idea what you're talking about, Dad."

"Yeah, of course not…"

Falling back to Daisy, she nervously grinned to me, jabbing a thumb at the stone. Shaking my head, I picked up her hand, and she frowned, but grasped mine back, as we returned to Merle's side.

"Hello to you, Princess of Sarasaland." Merle bowed his head to her, and Daisy perked up a bit. "It's nice to meet yet another monarch."

"Hi! Just Daisy is fine." She twiddled her thumbs while I lowered my eyes. "…What?"

"Were you enjoying our conversation?"

"Huh? What, you and Peach talking?" Daisy emitted a trill between her lips. "Didn't hear a word of that."

"Uh-huh."

"Yep!"

"Daisy."

"Ok, fine, sorry." She folded her arms and lowered her head. "Look, no offense, it's just that Peach's business is my business."

"Rather odd, all things considered." Merle adjusted his cloak a bit. "Not that I keep up with the politics concerning the Mushroom Kingdom, mind you."

"…But…?"

"Hm. Your tone suggests offense, which I'm not looking to cause." Merle shrugged. "I suppose I have nothing much to hide regardless, so, it's fine either way." Pointing forward, he quickened his pace a bit. "Celestial Valley's gate is up ahead."

Blinking and shaking my head, I glanced ahead down the winding path. The mountains had risen up on both sides, and there was a wide land just below. Withdrawing my Royal Scepter, I glanced at Daisy, who seethed a bit to herself, but nodded to me as she adjusted her Regal Rings.

Merlow hurried past us to follow after his father, while I turned back to find the others. Yoshi and Birdo were walking together, quietly pointing at the area around and whispering to each other. Luigi surveyed the hills as well, though I'm not sure what intent lied in his eyes. Toadette caught my eye and waved to me, and I smiled as I waved back to her.

Fairly separated from the others were Rosalina and Pauline, who seemed to have a small conversation going between them. Pauline fixated on Rosalina, who drifted just above the ground as we ventured on.

Deciding to check on them, I slowed my pace to meet them along our walk to the valley.

"How is defying gravity not the coolest thing for you?"

"It is nice, but I suppose it ultimately feels like walking eventually."

"If I could float, I don't think I'd ever get tired of it."

"Perhaps, or…oh, hello, Princess Peach." Rosalina lightly waved to me. "Do you need either of us for anything?"

"Just checking in on both of you." I shrugged my shoulders and smiled to them. "Pauline seems captivated by your cosmic capabilities."

"That is such a cool name for it," barely whispered Pauline.

"She is, and certainly a curious mind at that."

"Am I asking too much?" Pauline frowned. "I'm sorry, I'll dial the questions back."

"No, no, please, you are quite all right," insisted Rosalina. "It is charming how you enthusiastic and invested you are in my, ah, 'cosmic capabilities,' as Peach called them."

"It's just so enchanting!" Pauline clasped her hands together. "You can create stars to launch us across the sky, manipulate the gravity itself, spin with a powerful star energy, and generate magical shields!" She smiled as she walked closer to Rosalina, who chuckled. "You even have those adorable little Lumas under your wing, and if that's not precious, I don't know what is!"

"Thank you very much, it's flattering to hear." Rosalina smiled. "The sheer wonder that you can find in it all makes it that much more precious."

"Definitely!" Pauline beamed to her. "If you ever need a reminder of how incredible your life is, I'm more than happy to remind you!" She winked. "Call on me any time for that."

"Such flattery," teased Rosalina. She sighed and brushed her hair. "Though, to tell you the truth, I actually find myself a bit…wanting, I suppose you could call it."

"Huh?" Pauline shook her head. "Of what?"

"Truthfully, I would like moments in life more like yours."

"…Being a mayor?" Pauline shook her head. "It's quite nice, sometimes, but nowhere near as dazzling as yours is."

"But that's just it." Rosalina's hair drooped a bit more on her face. "I understand that your role as a mayor is quite busy, but you get to be down here, around so people." She smiled a bit, but then frowned. "That would not be the life that I would desire, but to be so alive, in the moment, that just seems so…different from what I have." With a sigh, Rosalina gazed up to the starry sky. "Though I would never want to trade, because of caring for the Lumas, and the joys of discovery, I can't help but wonder…what would a more earthly life be like? What small wonders do I miss?"

"Nothing."

"Hm?"

"Don't get me wrong, I love what I do too," prefaced Pauline. "But the majesty to you get to witness in space? Even though you're removed from more mundane society, you get to see such beauty that I can't even fathom." Rosalina blinked and studied Pauline, who took over looking skyward. "City life is part of my core, and I don't think I could ever leave it. Working with technology, inventions, music, and people, that's part of who I am." She smiled. "Yet I can't help but wonder what lies beyond the familiar lands we know. I've only ever been so far from my roots, but I can't help but picture how grand and expansive the universe truly is." Pauline returned her attention to Rosalina. "And you get to experience that wonder as part of a daily routine? That's beyond magical!"

"When you put it like that, it's impossible to contest such a view," relented Rosalina. "Still, my familiarity is mostly to my Comet Observatory. Everything else feels like a constant change. Even the Lumas under my care change drastically." Rosalina turned to look at the others. "You find the joys of familiarity with the people you get to share your life with. Yes, they change as well, but perhaps not as rapidly. And the connections you make, and how you help one another grow over time, it's magical in its own right." She lightly giggled. "The more we go over this, though, the more I can connect it to my life with the Lumas."

"Now that you mention it, I can come up with some parallels too," noted Pauline. "But now I can understand why you love to come down here to often too, when the Mushroom Kingdom hosts fun events."

"It's become entirely irresistible, to see what fun can be had down here, with you and the others," related Rosalina. She beamed and turned to me. "Isn't that right, Princess Peach?"

"Oh, you remembered me, how sweet," I teased. Both women blushed a bit and glanced away. "But yes, it's quite lovely having group gatherings for sporting events and parties." I tapped my finger on my cheek. "Still, isn't this the first time that you two are actually interacting, sans competing?"

"Uh…yeah? Extensively, I guess." Pauline raised an eyebrow at me. "…Why?"

"Just curious, I suppose. You two built up such a quick rapport, I was second-guessing that notion," I observed with a smirk. "It's cute."

For a moment, there was this dark look in Pauline's eyes, as a twisted grin locked onto her blushing face. My smirk remained though, and I quite enjoyed my sneaky efforts.

"Do you think so?" Rosalina giggled, interrupting our deadlock. "Perhaps we can connect even better than I realized."

"Sure, yeah," murmured Pauline, as her face fell. "The city mayor and the cosmic wonder, quite the pairing."

"Indeed!" Rosalina smiled to Pauline. "Now, we have gone over your wonderful singing voice and my space life, but let's get back to you again, since my magic is bound to come up in a little while." She refocused her attention. "Tell me more about those miniature toys that you work with! They are quite charming, and you seem to be an expert at using them in marvelous ways."

"Oh, uh, those?" Pauline gawked as she shifted her focus between Rosalina and I. "Well, I um…"

"Ah, I think one of the others waved me over," I interjected. "Enjoy your continued story sharing! Do tell me more later."

Though Pauline's mouth opened to protest, I simply picked my pace up to distance myself from them once more. She'll thank me later.

Returning my attention ahead, Toadette was now at Daisy's side, hopefully calming her. Luigi still walked alone, and so I picked up my pace to match his. He soon noticed me, and nodded as I approached.

"Beautiful place." He smiled a bit.

"It really is," I agreed. "This is one of the most scenic places in all of the Mushroom Kingdom."

"Yet neither you nor Bowser ever claimed it?"

"Trying to take control of Star Hill would only anger the Shamans," I explained. "There are no fortresses here, there's no strategic vantage point these mountains offer. They're removed from most of the Mushroom Kingdom's mainland, and its main draw beyond its ancient magic is that it's a dating hotspot." He blinked to me as I shrugged. "Fighting with Shamans to hold this place never seemed fruitful, and they allow visitors without harm, so long as they're informed of it. It's best to leave it well enough alone, I thought."

"Huh." Luigi glanced down as we trekked and nodded. "Makes sense."

"Actually, now that we have a minute," I started, "I was hoping I could—"

"We're approaching the gate now," called Merle. "If you've got any kind of magic in you, we could probably use you up here."

"That must be my cue." I glanced back as Rosalina nodded to me, drifting from Pauline. "Can you stick with Pauline and Toadette for this? I'd feel better if they were with you."

"Of course." Luigi rubbed his head. "But weren't you—?"

"It was a 'thank you,' but we can go over that later," I affirmed. "We've still got a journey ahead of us."

Withdrawing my Royal Scepter, I joined Rosalina as we moved ahead, joining Daisy as she lined up behind Merle and Merlow. Twisting about as he walked backwards, Merle surveyed us and combed his bright mustache.

"Five of us, just like my family," he noted, and then chuckled. "Star formation is our usual entry arrangement, so that's splendid."

Pivoting back around, he continued on, with Merlow peeking at us before shuffling after his father. Rosalina poked at her wand, while Daisy traced her rings. Gripping my rod, I pressed on after Merle to the gate.

Between the mountainsides that we had traveled through, a low point awaited from the path ahead, as it winded down from the trees and plants to what I imagined would be a more open location. Before us, however, stood a star-shaped gate between two large, sparkling pillars.

"So…this is it…" My voice hushed as I gazed at the large gate before us.

"Yes." Merle nodded, as I approached him. "To gain entry, we must prove that our hearts are pure, capable of being tested and deemed worthy to practice magic."

"Really?"

"Ha! No, Stars, can you imagine? No one's pure." Merle laughed for a bit, but quieted once he realized he was the only one doing so. "Ah. No, we just, um, we need to cast spells to open it, thus it will gauge our capabilities and create challenges based on this and balance them accordingly for us."

"Wait, the gate? That measures our power?"

"Based on how we want to be trained in the Celestial Valley, yes. It will also rebound our energy at us, but so long as we can maintain the level for a moment, that will unlock the valley gate." Merle folded his arms. "Considering that you're looking to train, but perhaps gain a stronger understanding of magic as a whole, I suggest not putting everything into it." He brushed his mustache. "Still, since there are five of us, plus your friends will be in there as well, I don't think we should take it too easy."

"Wait, should they wait for us outside?" I turned back to look at the others. "They're strong, but I don't want them to be harmed from our practice."

"Not to worry, if it's the valley that you're concerned with," assured Merle. "It won't treat them with much that they can't handle, if anything in particular." He narrowed his eyes beneath his hood. "It's your personal restraint that you need to be wary of."

"That's the part that I'm most nervous about," I admitted.

"All the more reason for them to join us." He rotated his arm and waved it about. "Plus, it actually makes good practice for them, since they'll see and react to magic." He placed his hands on his hips. "Unless you feel that you'll have the time to educate them on that later?"

"Unlikely."

"Then…?"

Pausing, I glanced back at my five friends, as they watched us and whispered to one another. Toadette quietly tapped her fingers together, and waved just slightly to me.

"…Ok."

"Very good. Merlow?"

Wordlessly, his son walked from us, taking a position a little back and across from where his father stood. Merle nodded and turned to us.

"Each of you should stand at a different position that helps us line up with the gate, to recreate the star formation." He pointed at the gate, specifying each point of the star itself. "It's not particularly necessary, but I feel like it gives a slight undercurrent of power when we abide by that."

"Does it matter who stands where?"

"Hm." Merle tapped within his hood, perhaps to his face. "I don't believe so, though perhaps the foremost position can determine more. My father and I have both stood there before, but I'm not certain exactly."

"If it were just you and your son here?"

"We'd just stand across from one another." Merle shrugged. "So, I don't imagine so, but if you'd like, you may."

"Actually, I'd rather you there," I insisted. "If you have the most experience, then you make most sense guiding us. And if there's anything that gives you some control with the training, it's best that you're the one to gauge and use it."

"Hm. Logical." Merle nodded. "Very well." He snapped his fingers.

"Rosalina, Daisy, take the bottom positions," I instructed. "I'll stand across from Merlow."

"Of course."

"You got it!"

Both followed my word and made their way back towards the others. I smiled a bit, and made my way across the path, lining myself directly across from Merlow first. Making sure I had it right, I moved back to recreate his distance with his father.

"Looks about right, though Princess Daisy, you may want to take one step up," advised Merle. "Rosalina, one step over…oh, or just a slight drift, yes, good." He surveyed each of us again and nodded. "Very good. Ladies, if you'll get your magical items ready. Merlow, get your magic ready as well."

Merlow's hands lit up as I lifted my Scepter. My mouth parted a bit, but I closed it again quickly, and focused on Daisy as she pounded her fists together. Rosalina twirled her wand around, and a blue light lit up the star-shaped head. The heart-shaped head for my scepter began to glow as well, and I turned my head as Merle's hands matched his son's.

"Wow."

I glanced back as Pauline covered her mouth and sank a bit in place. A small giggle escaped me, and her wonder remained endearing.

"All right, we're looking ready." Merle pivoted to the gate and motioned his hands before him. "Give it a good blast of energy, and we'll have our field prepared for us."

Merlow studied his father briefly, and then mimicked his stance. Putting both hands on my scepter, I aimed it forward to the gate, eying the right side parallel to where I stood.

"Give me a moment, I'll give us a small countdown, and everyone unleashes what they've got charged once I call 'now,' ok?" From my peripheral, Merle's hands cracked as I focused ahead. "All together, in three…two…one…now!"

Five beams of energy fired at the gate, and it pushed against the starry door. The star lit up, as it sparkled with our collective energy.

"Be ready, it'll be rebounding our power back in just a bit," cautioned Merle. "Feel your magical wave, and be ready to counter it."

With a shimmer, the star gate burst in a heavy light, and I felt a wave push back against me. Pressure shoved hard, coming with a hefty force against my Royal Scepter. My teeth tightened as I dug into the ground, and thrust my rod forward to push the power back.

"Ah, damn!" Daisy grunted from behind me. "Come on, we got this!" I smirked a bit, imagining that she punched forward with her fists.

Rosalina gasped just a bit, but she gave a huff and the bottom left stream crackled a bit more. Some skidding sounded from Merlow's direction, but his power fumed in a push from him.

"Hang on, just keep it steady," instructed Merle. "Focus…we're nearly there…"

The gate's light glistened as we balanced the power out between it and us. A wave surged along it as it flashed and absorbed the rest of our magic energies.

"Ah, there!" Merle let out a slight laugh. "Get ready to release, again on my signal, sans countdown. Just a bit more and…now!"

Each of us disconnected as we released our hold, and the remainder of the spells zapped against the gate. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, a rumble, and then a rusty, creaking rang out. The gate parted and opened slowly, as I released my breath and dropped my arms.

"Excellent, great work," congratulated Merle. "And that's the beginning! Come, gather your friends, and let's enter." I nodded and faced the others.

"Yeah, good stuff!" Daisy flexed. "These Regal Rings nailed it!" She grinned up to me. "Your Royal Scepter was pretty cool combined with them." Blinking, she twisted back the other way. "And you did great too, Rosie!"

"Hey, Rosalina," chimed in Pauline. "What's the name of your wand?"

"Ah, the name of my…wand?" Rosalina tilted her head. "It…does not have one?"

"What?! That's no fun at all!" Daisy folded her arms. "Come on, Rosalina! You've got to have some type of name for it. Get creative!"

"Well…I suppose you could call it a…Star Rod?"

"Dull, that definitely exists like twice or thrice over," complained Daisy.

"Star…Wand?"

"How about the Celestial Wand?" Everyone turned as Pauline shrugged. "She's from space, as is a star, and we're naming it at the Celestial Valley. Why not?"

"That does sound a bit nicer, perhaps more elegant" agreed Rosalina.

"You know what, I've got no alternatives in mind," admitted Daisy. "Between that and 'Star Wand,' I like 'Celestial Wand' better!"

"Wait, now I'm going to feel bad about that," murmured Pauline.

"Perhaps we could have fun and use both names for each variant the wand is under," suggested Rosalina. "It's currently in a soft-powered state, but in dire combative situations, I can awaken its full potential."

"Wait, your wand has two forms?!"

"Not exactly." Rosalina glanced down at it. "Rather, it maintains its form, but gains an influx of power—"

"So 'Star Wand' is the name for the sleeping mode, and 'Celestial Wand' is for when it's active, got it!" Daisy pounded her fists together. "Oh, this is so totally cool!"

"That is…not quite right."

"Just let her have it," I intervened. "We can call it either or, and it'll work out like that."

"How does it recognize us being here?" I glanced back at Luigi. "That gate, it measures the power for each of you, but the rest of us…?"

"Celestial Valley can detect which among us that power flows from," called Merle. "Now, if you're all done with cheering from unlocking the front door, let's get a move on!"

Following him and his son, we each entered past the gate, and into the Celestial Valley itself. Taking in the mountains around us, I turned my attention at the vast land ahead, noticing how even and uniform it appeared. The purple grass coated a lot of the area, with a quiet and steady river stream flowing further along the path we walked. Before that, however, was a long and carved stone plateau. Still, around us remained the other star-shaped stones that we had seen along the way here, though they were greater in number gathered here than where we had previously traveled. Some even seemed to house a faint glow within them.

"Beautiful and unblemished for training grounds," I complimented.

"Reforming tends to help with that."

"Huh?"

"This land isn't like most of Star Hill," explained Merle. "It holds transformative properties that will occur as we train."

"Transform?" Daisy tilted her head. "Does that mean like the stage here changes, or—"

"All of the terrain you see before you is capable of morphing in its entirety to something else." Merle gestured at the river and land ahead. "That river can turn into a lake, which can also turn into powerful waves that will rush at us as though it came directly from the ocean."

"It can do what?"

"Hence why we need to be careful as we practice our magic here, as the environment will take on many kinds of forms as we go alongside it." Merle nodded. "I don't suppose we'll make it too far in our work today for all of that excitement, but we will definitely witness some of it." He ambled over to the raised platform that waited before us. "But, that's the lesser of our concerns regardless. More importantly, perhaps the boring portion, but we should get a refresher on the kinds of magic that we'll be working with."

"How…how is that the lesser part?" Birdo placed her hands on her hips. "What the hell did we just sign on for?"

"Don't worry, Birdo," assured Daisy. "We'll keep an eye out for you guys."

"But you'll be busy with each other," protested Yoshi. "Are we going to be safe?"

"We'll do whatever it takes to keep everyone protected here," I reaffirmed. "If we can't, I know you guys are capable of holding your own against anything."

"For all of our sakes, I sure hope so," murmured Birdo.

Nodding, I followed Merlow up a few steps for the raised stone terrain, with the others following after us. Surveying it as we approached the center, I checked over the bulk of it, with a large circle carved around the surface.

Four large runes were engraved into the plateau, and each resembled a specific shape: a mushroom, a star, a moon, and a sun.

"Oh hey, a Super Mushroom symbol," noted Luigi.

"This one looks like a Power Moon," pointed out Pauline.

"And this one is similar to a Power Star or even a Grand Star," determined Rosalina. "That last one, though…"

"Reminds me of a Shine Sprite," I realized.

"Each of you is likely correct, as these symbols were inspired by the Mushroom Kingdom itself, and perhaps the lands beyond," elucidated Merle. "These runes take those for the basis, and each was traditionally created to accentuate and collectively sort the four different magic types." He pointed at each as he described which they were meant for. "The Mushroom is the most earthly, especially of this kingdom, and therefore corresponds to Natural magic. The Star symbolizes Cosmic magic, as it best painted space beyond what our ancestors would know. Tethered closer to us were the Sun and the Moon, and because both were present at differing points of the day, both became the respective symbols of Light magic and Dark magic."

"Wait, there are…four kinds of magic?" Luigi folded his arms and tilted his head. "Is that right?"

"Four overarching classifications that we use to sort the spells into, yes," offered Merle. "I'd wager that there are many different ways to break them down, and potentially more kinds of magic that we don't yet know of." He shook his head. "But to keep it managed as we have over centuries, I'd wager that it's best to stick with those that we know of. Merlow?"

"Do we have to do that part?"

"It's fun."

"Everyone stares at me…"

"Oh, stop."

With a heavy sigh, Merlow made his way to the north of the stage, toward the star rune. Rubbing his hands together, I could almost hear him murmuring something, maybe an incantation.

"Briefly, we'll introduce these to you all, but we'll go into more detail in a little while after, once training has progressed."

Turning to his son, Merle nodded. Merlow slowly pulled his hands apart, fingers shaking. Twisting to the right, he fired a ball of fire out, and quickly followed with another. Scooping his hands in a particular fashion, he slowly waved and whipped them around, as water spiraled around before him. Stomping the ground, he slid his foot forward, and thrust his fists after it. An earth chunk from below was launched out from below the plateau. He quickly rotated his hands around before him, guiding them in a circular fashion, and created a wind tunnel from below the soaring dirt, lifting it higher and launching it away an even greater distance.

"What my son has demonstrated here would be what we associate with Natural magic," taught Merle, "which is any kind of magic that uses what is now considered as classical elements, or those that made up the earth." He waved his hand around. "Obviously, science follows different elements and has a more logical breakdown of those kinds. But, we'll stick with how these things were defined to us."

I glanced back to Pauline, expecting a different reaction from her awestruck face. With a small chuckle, I realized that I forgot how fascinating she finds all of this. Merle cleared his throat.

"This type of magic engages with the environment around us, and converts it into energies that we're capable of bending to our will. These are inclusive, but not limited to many types that make up the world, including water, earth, air, fire, forest, ice, and lightning." He clasped his hands behind his back. "Other magic tends to overlap into this broad class, manipulating elements in specialized manners, but for its all encompassing means, this is known as Natural, or base, magic."

Nodding again to Merlow, his son pivoted to the left, and raised one hand to the sky, while holding out the other. His hands held a bright glow to them, and it seemed to sparkle with blue and white energies. A star materialized from the sky over him, and his arms shuddered, as he pulled the higher one back. With a groan, Merlow threw it down past the other, which pointed outward. The star fired down from the sky and smashed into the ground in the distance, with its energy bursting.

Pebbles lobbed onto the plateau, and Merlow scooped up with his hands. He forced his fingers apart, and the tiny stones lifted from the ground, levitating in the air. Panting, Merlow coughed and dropped his arms, as the rocks fell back down. Sinking down a bit, Merle started toward him, but Merlow lifted his arm and shook his head. Sighing, Merle turned back to us.

"That was a demonstration of Cosmic magic," revealed Merle. "Some consider it to be the opposite to Natural, as it normally as ties to extraterrestrial powers." As he turned back to us, he eyed Rosalina. "We know less about this one in particular, but it tends to have abilities that allow the user to manipulate gravity, or unleash might from shooting stars and comets. There are also manners that blend outside of its territory, such as creating constructs or piercing distortions." He glanced back to Merlow, who was regaining his composure. "It takes a hefty toll on those of us who are less capable of it, especially if you're not in space or environments that channel such an atmosphere. From what we can gather, it is probably the most difficult to gain a full understanding of and utilize." Again, he watched Rosalina, though she didn't interject in any way, merely watching the two Shamans.

We returned our attention to Merlow, who seemed to recover from his demonstration. He raised his hands, now in a golden glow. Waving them before himself, light energy trained after each sweep of his hands. Crafting a rectangular shape with his hands, a barrier materialized before him, made of the golden light he used. Merlow rolled his hands back and pushed them forward, as the light screen drifted away from him. Inhaling deeply, he cast his arms around at a more rapid rate, with waves of light generating from the air and morphing around the screen. Twisting his arms around twice and then spreading them out, the screen turned, with the shapes of the runes along the other side.

"Light magic is the third type we'll overview," recited Merle. "I'd wager this is the one that most of you have familiarity with, besides Natural. Its primary utility is generation, where the spell caster can create constructs into shapes that work in various ways, including shielding or striking." He gazed to my scepter and his eyes twitched a bit. "Because of its normal usages, many consider this of a particular 'good' affinity, as creation is usually viewed in a positive manner. Higher forms of Light magic can also be used to heal, though this takes refinement." His head lowered, as his hood obscured his eyes. "However, the greater energy exerted for healing, the more of a toll it can take on its user. For example, trying to save someone from dying could end up draining the life force of the caster attempting to enact such magic." Merle slouched. "Regardless, it's very…advanced magic, and takes years, even decades, to garner the proper focus to channel such power."

His son's hands shifted in their glowing color again, now to a darker, purple color. Focusing on his light screen, slight cracks of the same purple light formed within the barrier. Closing his hands in, Merlow's magic shattered the constructs he generated, and the shards of light energy cascaded down to the platform. Spinning back around, Merlow flexed his hands, popping his fingers out thrice, and holding them open on the last. Three of small pebbles from before expanded greatly in size, forming large boulders now. Swiping down with his arms in a crossed pattern, the rocks were sliced from dark energy, and split to pieces.

"Our final type of magic to cover is Dark," revealed Merle. "Its capabilities typically work at distortions, altering sizes and properties of the people and objects around it." He lifted a gloved finger up. "Now, it is normally considered an 'evil' magic, as its uses can be corrupted by those who equip it for nefarious purposes, as it is capable of shattering through Light's constructs and creations. However, this can also be used to break through illusions that may hinder one. As a whole, Dark magic is misunderstood, though its utility can house equally dire consequences." He lifted his head, eyes twinkling a bit. "Breaking through other spells and casting curses fall under Dark magic. However, the highest grade can also steal life energy from other living entities, which in turn generate more power for it." Merle lowered his head. "Stealing life from another person is harder to learn, but it is easier than restoring life. Taking such life force from lower living creatures that can put up less of a fight, such as plants, is even easier." He sighed. "Though Dark magic is mostly showcased for its terrifying power, it is capable of its own restorative qualities, usually undoing cursed bindings and enchantments." Merle lifted his head, staring at each of us. "I don't imagine that this crowd will be using it so much, but I figured we should at least go over it, along with the other three. These are considered the greater classifications of magic known to the Mushroom Kingdom."

Behind him, Merlow sank down and slumped to the ground. Merle jolted back and pivoted to him, taking a few steps to him. Once again, his son shook his head and waved his hands, pointing to us and turning away from his father. Shoulders dropping, Merle turned back to us.

"It's one thing to merely overview these magic types, but practicing them will offer a different perspective, and one that may be trickier to follow," he warned. "The time that we have is limited regardless, and I don't suppose that we'll be able to cover every single inch regarding all four." His eyes seemed to curve up, perhaps from a smile. "But, we'll do what we can! So, let's take a short minute, and we'll get to practicing, first with one another, and then, as the land around us morphs, we'll work with the Celestial Valley itself."

My head automatically bobbled up and down in response, and I gave a hard blink to refocus myself. I turned to my friends, each one…far more worse for wear than I. Luigi gripped his head, shaking it a bit. Pauline seemed to count with her fingers and traced absently in the air. Yoshi and Birdo had dropped down to the ground, leaning against one another, while Toadette shook her feet in front of them.

"Gosh, I really, really don't know nearly enough about all of that," admitted Daisy, folding her arms, and then tapping on her cheek. "Honestly, I just kind of go by what my retainers taught me when I was younger."

"Even though I have studied Cosmic magic for a long time, I also admit that I do not know the best means to explain it by, nor how its interactions come out when we are earthbound," chimed in Rosalina. "It is fascinating to gain another perspective on it, as there are differences to its abilities in space." She chuckled lightly. "For example, the shooting star took some time to generate down here, whereas it appears much quicker when you are not on a planet."

"Geez, I can't even wrap my head around that much!" Daisy groaned. "Peach, I thought we came here to learn more control, not to make our brains burst from an overflow of class lessons!"

"We should have a general understanding before learning control," I surmised. "It's best to gain a broader insight to magic like this, so that we'll know exactly what we're operating with."

"Ugh, you would be more into learning this," complained Daisy. She sighed and then lifted her head to wink at me. "Well, that's probably for the best! If you learn it better than I can, then you'll be able to dumb it down and teach me better later."

"Such attitude seems to belie your deeper understanding and ability to extract information that you can make use of," assessed Merle as he approached. "You may find use from the long mess that I spouted out, Princess Daisy, as you are quite capable of sorting through what's important."

Daisy's face contorted as she whipped around to Merle. She glowered at him and gazed down upon him.

"Is that supposed to be picking at something?"

"Well, I thought I had phrased that into a compliment, but it appears not," admitted Merle. "My apologizes."

"Ok, spare me the 'nice guy' routine," she snapped. "Between what you brought up before and what you're picking at now, I don't appreciate where you're going with your insinuations."

"Truthfully, I fail to see what problem you're finding from this." Merle stroked his mustache. "I don't know how to explain to you that I find your dedication to what's important to you admirable, and that I similarly follow prioritizing what's most valuable."

"Huh?"

"Given specific circumstances and choices, I'd pick similar options as you do for your kingdom." He nodded. "I understand that Sarasaland isn't always quite entwined with the variances that occur with the Mushroom Kingdom, specifically the ongoing feuds between Princess Peach and the Koopa Kingdom."

"It's not always that easy to join in," confessed Daisy. She glanced at me and returned to glaring at Merle. "That doesn't make my choices right."

"There is no right or wrong in those regards, only what you may do."

"So, what, if you're choosing to do something for the greater good or something for family, which would you pick—?"

"Family, without question," quickly replied Merle.

"Wait, what?"

"We all have different values for what we hold near and dear to our hearts, Princess Daisy." He gazed up to her. "Just as you prioritize the safety and survival of the Sarasaland Kingdom, I too place value upon my family above all else." Merle shrugged. "Maybe this puts me at potential odds of what can and cannot be done. My father is a great oracle of sorts, and therefore needs to keep a more open mind to what he does and how it impacts others." He shook his head. "Even if I could do what he does, I would still choose to place all of my efforts on helping my family foremost. Perhaps this is a selfish choice, but it is one that I would make time and again." His eyes curved up again. "This is what I mean when I tell you that I admire your choices, that you protect your kingdom first."

"But…but I could always strive to do more. I should!"

"True, it's best to exhaust all options that help all before narrowing things down. However, the inevitable is what we're specifying here, and when we make our choices." Merle turned his attention to me. "Maybe it's not always in the Mushroom Kingdom's best interests. But, it is where your heart lies." He nodded. "It makes us whole, I believe." Checking behind him, he started away from us. "Speaking of such, I'll be with you briefly, but I want to check on my son first."

As he briskly strolled to his son at the far side of the plateau, I turned to Daisy, who kept a silent gaze upon the Shamans. She twisted to me, biting her lip. I hesitated, as I wasn't sure how to begin on this.

"He's right," she admitted. "Peach, I…" She shook her head. "But, I don't think that I've been doing the right thing." Daisy mulled over Merle's words. "Doing what I've done, I haven't always—"

"Daisy, you don't need to justify or excuse yourself," I interrupted. "Sarasaland hasn't always been in peril, but its greatest challenge, I sent only Mario over." My lips fell to a frown. "At the time, I thought that was a great effort, sending essentially my champion to restore your kingdom, which he did do." My head lowered. "But, I could have done better."

"Maybe we both can, in the future," offered Daisy. "We support each other with trade, but maybe we can expand on everything else from there." She smiled and lifted her hand to me. "Peach, I want you to be able to rely on me more than you have in the past. If that means risking my kingdom to help yours, I should do that."

She waited as I gazed into her blue eyes. Lifting both of my hands, I wrapped them around hers, and shook my head, smiling to her.

"There are ways that we can help one another, but I don't want you risking your people in order to help mine," I decided. "You being here is a strong show of our bond as it is, and it's a great risk in and of itself." She opened her mouth but I placed a finger up to her. "Before, back when I made that slight shot when you first arrived, I was annoyed when I thought it all over." I sighed. "But hearing how Merle explained it all, that makes more sense to me."

"But I…" Daisy waited and lowered her eyes, trying to piece her thoughts together. I wouldn't let her.

"All you do now is more than enough," I reiterated. "I don't need you to pour in armies to help me combat Bowser's forces." I smiled again. "Just having you here is plenty, and I can't express my gratitude for your help this far."

"Peach…" Daisy brushed her eyes and grinned to me. "Hey, we're not done just yet. I'm here with you until the end, one way or another!" She took my hands in hers. "I promise you, Peach, I'll help you resolve matters this time. However you need me, I'm yours through it all!"

"So dramatic," I teased. "But…thank you, Daisy." We smiled to each other and giggled.

"Merlow seems to be doing better," announced Merle, to his son's chagrin, as the child threw his head up. I smirked while he stared at the sky. "Shall we get started on actual practice, then?"

"Come on!" Daisy shot her fists up, her rings sparkling. "Let's do this!"

My grip tightened on my Royal Scepter, as Rosalina approached with her wand. We nodded to one another, and joined the two Shamans before us.

---

[Luigi]

The ladies hurried forward to practice their magic. I tugged on my cap as they gathered for their training, and walked away from the middle of the arena, as Yoshi and Birdo rose to follow me. Toadette hesitated as she watched Peach, but came after us as well. Pauline was the only one who seemed stuck to her spot, still dazzled by everything that Merle had gone over.

"Pauline?" She still watched the others head, as they readied themselves while Merle faced them. "Pauline, come on!"

"Huh, what?" She blinked and turned to me. "Oh, I…right!"

Hurrying over to us, she waited along the side, and spun back around to watch the show begin.

"All right, nothing particular special to start out," directed Merle. "I just want to review what each of you are capable of." He looked to Peach and Daisy first, eying their magical tools. "Princess Peach and Princess Daisy, I would imagine you're both capable of Natural and Light magic, correct?"

"Yes," affirmed Peach.

"Uh, probably leaning closer to Natural than Light, but yeah," determined Daisy.

"That's fine." He turned to Rosalina and eyed her for a moment. "Princess Rosalina?"

"Well, I'm not quite…" Rosalina shook her head. "Yes?"

"Cosmic magic is what you're most capable of, correct?"

"Indeed," confirmed Rosalina. "To be truthful, I don't believe I can perform the other kinds at all." She glanced down at her Star Wand. "I think Cosmic magic is all I am capable of, with some manipulation of other elements and magic based on what I can control with it."

"Interesting." Merle tugged on his blonde mustache, but then let his indigo cloak drop back over the white robes he wore beneath. "I imagined you more capable of the others on top of Cosmic, but that actually makes more sense as is." He cleared his throat. "Nonetheless, this works well enough. Together, the three of you seem to have a collective balance on various kinds of magic." He turned back to his son. "Merlow is still training with what he can do overall."

"Daaad," Merlow groaned. "Could you make it sound even more pathetic?"

"It's not, you're young and still learning," insisted Merle. He rubbed behind his head. "You're fine, my son. We're all working together." He turned back to the princesses. "Sorry. He's newer to magic than each of us, perhaps, but he has demonstrated some versatility in each class." Merle lightly brushed at his mustache. "Merlow is probably most efficient in Dark magic, however, based on his latest practices." He nodded. "That makes a great balance between all four of you." Merle folded his arms behind his back. "Personally, I would wager myself veering off toward Natural magic as well, though I can compensate in Dark magic where needed, or even Light magic."

"Ugh." Merlow tugged his hood tighter over his head. "You're making it worse, Dad."

"Merlow, please, I'm not trying to…" He shook his head. "No matter. Shall we get started with casting what we can? We've each seen what Merlow can do, and I perform similarly to him. Though…"

Merle lifted his arms out, tracing a circle with four points around it. He cupped his hands around it, flashing a bright light from his created shape. We shielded our eyes as it lit up. The whiteness faded, however, and we uncovered to watch as Merle hands lit up with a darker color, snuffing the light back out. He tossed his hands out to either side, and winds drifted up the mountains on either side of the valley. Soft rumbling sounded from above each side.

"Not to show off that much," joked Merle. "Just a small demonstration for myself as well." He rotated his wrist and massaged his left hand. "Been a little while since I tried that one." Merle looked to each of the women. "May we get a little of what you three can do?"

Peach stepped forward a bit, but Rosalina had drifted before her. She twisted her wand around and lifted it up. The star stones from around our stage all levitated in the air, as Rosalina whipped her wand around, with each dancing about the air as she waved it to and fro.

"Marvelous," complimented Merle. "Princess Peach?"

Rosalina lowered the stones back to the earth, as Peach stepped forward. She lifted her hand as her scepter flickered and she materialized a fireball. Waving her wand, it was encased in a pink light. She lobbed it into the air and jabbed her wand out. It cast the fire out, with smaller flames shooting apart and scattering into the air. Peach waved it down, and the fires fizzled out.

One ember drifted down toward her and she caught it with the scepter. Cupping it, she swept her hand away and forced the rod out, as a shield of light materialized from it and drifted an energy veil down around her. She lowered her wand as the light faded away.

"Powerful!" Merle clapped lightly. "That's very good."

"Nah; let me show you some power!"

Daisy pounded her fists together, as they were encased in crystal gauntlets. She threw a punch forward, following up quick with another, while shards scattered from her. She threw another punch straight out, launching the glove itself.

Snapping her fingers, the shards lit up, and transformed into daisies. Waving her coated hand around, Daisy whipped it ahead, as petals burst from the flowers and soared out at the falling gauntlet. Each burst with an orange light, slicing through the crystallized gauntlet, and shattering it.

Not done yet, Daisy reared her arm back and slammed her crystal hand down to the platform. The crystals from the broken gauntlet quaked and soared into the air. Snapping her free fingers again, each crystal flashed into flower petals, cascading down from the sky.

Tossing her glove aside, Daisy pressed her rings together between her knuckles. Rotating her hands, water lifted around us, creating a bubbled barrier over the whole stage as the petals lit up in energy and rained down faster. Each fizzled from the bubble upon contact, and Daisy watched them hit. Once the sky was cleared, she pulled her hands apart, and waved away the water.

"Huh. Quite the display all in its own," marveled Merle.

"Seemed a bit like she was overcompensating," deadpanned Merlow.

"What?!" Daisy placed her hands on her hips. "Listen, kid—"

"Merlow, apologize," snapped Merle. "It was a showcase of her abilities."

"Fine, fine, sorry." His father tapped his foot. "Sorry, Princess Daisy." Merle sighed while Merlow shook his head. He spun around and flopped his arms about. "Can we just get on with the next part?"

"Until the land starts to morph and reshape itself, we'll end up practicing against each other." Merle folded his arms. "Is that what you want to get to?"

Merlow didn't answer, but there was this eager flicker in his dim eyes as they narrowed. They slowly trailed around over everyone, and he settled on me, studying me carefully from the other side.

There was a rumble in the distance, and everyone seemed to jump at once. We gazed out to the north, watching as trees spurted up from the ground, plentiful in number and far more than there had been before. A series of them seemed to be rising toward us, as the platform we waited on lit up. It slowly rumbled, and the whole thing sunk into the ground.

"Ah, there we go!" Merle clasped his hands together. "We can get started on working with the environment itself!"

"Finally," murmured Merlow.

"Princesses! Be ready, we're being challenged by the valley itself."

"Awesome!" Daisy punched her fists together, readying her gauntlets once again.

Rosalina twirled her wand, and it lit up in a faint glow. "Let's get started then."

"Just what are we supposed to do against the Celestial Valley?" Peach adjusted her grip on her Royal Scepter, watching the rising trees draw closer.

"Definitely don't burn the forest down," muttered Merlow. Everyone stared quietly at him. "…What?!"

"His first time here was eventful," joked Merle, with a nervous laugh. "Ah…fire isn't the answer, but you are supposed to settle the land as it transforms."

"Will punching trees down and out do the trick?"

Daisy sprinted forward, jumping up as a tree lifted. She threw a heavy punch and slammed into it. Bouncing back, she flipped away as the tree came crashing down. Two more spurt up before it hit the ground.

"Uh…ok, that's a 'no,' then."

"Perhaps if I lift the excess ones away," suggested Rosalina. "That should clear some—"

"Wait, no!" Peach hurried over to her. "Daisy knocked one down and two more appeared. Uprooting them probably only gets them to come up faster."

Something rumbled beside me, and I slowly backed away, taking Pauline's hand and tugging her along with me. Yoshi and Birdo glanced at one another, scooped up Toadette, and backpedaled as well.

One tree burst up from the ground where we stood, and another sprang up just a few feet nearby.

"Peach, any ideas?" Pauline turned to her, and I waited to see if she had an idea as well.

"Taking them out will only make more appear," surmised Peach. "Burning too many away will destroy the whole land."

Another tree rocketed up from the ground, forcing Yoshi to separate from Birdo and Toadette. "Any day would be great, Peach!" Birdo pulled Toadette back, as she shuddered and struggled to get her bearings.

"Am I right trying to go about this by a Natural magic means?" Peach turned to Merle, who nodded to her. "Ok, so…it is a forest, fire is bad, air and earth will cause more problems, water feeds them…" Peach tapped at her wand. "Would freezing the earth be key?"

"Sounds like an idea at least," agreed Daisy.

"Let's do it."

Pointing her scepter down, Peach fired a beam of snow and ice at the earth. Daisy lowered herself and spread her palms out, as her gauntlets shifted from crystals to ice shards.

"They won't be able to do enough on their own," assessed Rosalina.

"Well, we are here," pointed out Merle, as his hands lit up in a bright blue aura. "Might as well follow the strategy."

Both Shamans cast frost from their hands as well, and all four spread their powers over the earth, freezing it from below. They shifted around, spreading the cold across the valley, and spreading out as they did so.

"Are they going to have to move around the whole valley to do that?" Yoshi tilted his head. "That seems excessive in itself."

"Maybe the land will just stop once the trees slow down?" Toadette tugged on her vest. "Or it could be another solution…?"

"Actually, this is the easy part," revealed Merlow.

"It what?"

"Testing us starts with seeing how we solve and handle a situation to see what we can figure out early on," he continued. "It gets harder, based on how well we perform."

"So, after you freeze the land for a bit, you're all set?"

Merlow glanced to me, but returned his attention to freezing the ground. I raised an eyebrow and waited for him to continue, but he shuffled away.

"Is it stopping yet?" Daisy surveyed the land. "I don't know how long I can keep this up for."

"Trees appear to have stopped erupting from the ground," noted Rosalina. "Perhaps we have passed?"

"Oh, that's it?" Peach pulled back on her rod. "Great work, everyone."

"Yeah, but now it's freezing," murmured Yoshi, holding himself together and hopping a bit.

"That was to be expected," reasoned Peach. "Once this valley transforms again, it may warm up."

Everyone waited for a moment, as nothing else seemed to happen. Minutes passed, while still nothing changed. Rosalina tapped on her wand, glancing around at the environment. Daisy flicked a stone away and spiked it into a tree. Merle and Merlow quietly whispered to one another, and Peach eyed them. Everyone else shivered and moved around to warm up.

"So…how long do you think this takes?" Pauline held her hands behind her back, looking between Peach and I.

"This doesn't make sense," complained Peach. "If we stopped the environment, why hasn't anything else happened?"

"Could you repeat that?" Peach looked at Merle, who flexed his hands. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

"If we stopped the environment, why hasn't anything…?" Peach sighed and dropped her head. "We stopped the environment, so it won't change at all. Right?"

"Correct."

"Wait, why?" Daisy picked herself up and threw her hands up. "First, this place attacks us with trees, so we have to stop it, but then we have to fix it too?!"

"Would you rather just leave training here?" Merle shrugged. "If you're not up for fixing your messes—"

"But it wasn't our mess!"

"Wasn't it?"

"Explain to us, please," insisted Peach.

"Well, the Celestial Valley's, ah, 'natural' flow involves it morphing," enlightened Merle. "Stopping it to protect us is part of what we need to do. However, to do so, we needed to stop the valley from operating, essentially." He gestured to the frosty ground around us. "This isn't how its natural appearance is, now is it?"

"No."

"So…?"

"We need to properly tend to it and restore its natural balance," finished Rosalina. "That is quite the lesson, well designed."

"Indeed."

"But once we thaw the world, won't it just attack us with more trees?" Daisy tilted her head. "Why would we need to do that?"

"That's part of your lesson." Merle pivoted away from us. "To understand this is part of learning how to properly, ah, temper your abilities."

"That makes no sense," contended Daisy. "Peach, do you get it?"

"Well…" Peach hesitated, and gazed over the ground. "…Restoring the land helps us?"

"Yes."

"Then, let's just do that."

Spiraling her Royal Scepter around, Peach pointed it to the ground. She waited a moment before pulling it back.

"We don't want to use fire to heat the grounds, though."

"Goodness no."

"Then to add heat…"

"We don't need to ignite anything," realized Daisy. "We just have to generate heat and warm it up." She pointed to Peach's scepter. "Would your light spells work on it?"

"Perhaps, though it should have natural solutions to it."

"What if we were to create artificial sources to produce heat?" Rosalina pointed her wand up. "I can create a small star to begin that process."

"And we can use its energy like we would fire," determined Peach. "It's worth a shot, we can try spreading it around."

Rosalina created her star just above the others. Siphoning energy from it, Peach used her wand to guide it around, bringing it to the ground for warmth. Merle and Merlow lit their hands in an orange glow, bringing them close to the earth to assist.

"It's actually getting warmer already," noted Toadette. "That worked quick!"

Within another matter of minutes, the land warmed up significantly. Trees didn't burst from the grounds anymore, and everyone slowly stopped using their spells.

"Well done," complimented Merle. "That seemed to be a viable solution to the first challenge." He stroked his mustache and gazed around the valley. "Though…I do wonder why it's not…"

"Did we not heat enough of the area yet?" Peach cupped her wand in her palm. "Perhaps we need to venture out further."

"Possibly." Merle brushed his mustache. "We may as well give a good check to the surrounding land." He viewed the area and spun back to us. "Each of you, stay near here and the river, it's just behind you over there." He pointed out to it. "We'll be back briefly, but the rest of you should wait for our return."

"Can I come watch?" Pauline tilted her head. "This seems really, really cool…"

"Normally, I would agree to it, but—"

"It will be fine, I will watch her as we go," offered Rosalina.

"Hm. Very well, then." Merle turned to the rest of us. "Would anyone else care to come along? The more of you that do will require more of you to be watched, but it would be impolite of me not to extend the offer."

Checking as none of the other three hurried forward, I shook my head. "I…think we'll be ok waiting here," I determined for us.

"All right." He nodded to the princesses and his son, and they ventured further along the valley's forest.

"Pretty incredible stuff, huh, Yoshi?" Birdo folded her arms. "Too bad we don't have the ability to use it."

"Honestly, I think I prefer it that way," admitted Yoshi.

"Really?" Birdo placed her hand on his shoulder, massaging it a bit. "Wouldn't you want to have those powers, though? They could be a mighty boon." She winked to him. "And just imagine the possibilities…"

"Maybe." He shrugged, and she took her hand away. "But, I'd rather someone else be able to use it, not myself." Yoshi glanced down at his hands. "It's a lot of pressure, and I'd feel overwhelmed from having those abilities."

"So, you'd want a partner to help you alleviate those burdens?" Birdo nudged him and brushed past him. "It's usually best when you've got someone to help balance things out, right?"

"Uh…yeah." Yoshi blushed a bit as he looked at Birdo, but then his eyes wandered in my direction. His cheeks flushed darker and he walked away from Birdo. "Excuse me, I just…need a little space…"

Birdo sighed as Yoshi walked away from her. She folded her arms and gazed out to the river, walking to the trees closer to the river.

Toadette stood just a little ways off from her, and noticed Birdo staring off at the river further along. She wandered closer to Birdo, as did I, though maintained distance, ducking behind the tree trunks.

"Is everything ok, Birdo?"

"You already know the answer."

"Then, can I help?"

"…Better than silently sulking," Birdo decided.

"Is this more about your desires for fame, or your drive for identity?"

"Neither of those is particularly pressing at the moment." Birdo sighed, touching the ribbon on her head. "Though, I guess the last one hangs over me all of the time."

"You are who you are, Birdo," affirmed Toadette. "The important people know that and love you for who you are."

"Sure, yeah." Birdo snorted. "It's just…I don't know." She lowered her head, gazing down at her reflection, I wagered. "Knowing that everyone close to me accepts me is great, but…I wish that I didn't have to struggle with everyone else." She folded her arms back and tighter into herself. "Being famous becomes less important to me by the day, not so much as this hunger for…for being taken as I am, not questioned by the masses, just…me."

"We haven't really given you that trouble, have we?"

"No, everyone here has been great, surprisingly," admitted Birdo. "I guess that's why it doesn't really come up lately." She nodded to Toadette. "With you guys, I feel like I can be normal."

"But you are."

"Don't try—"

"Really, Birdo, normal is an ideal that we try to achieve, but never can." Toadette tugged on one of her braids. "I tend to stick out in crowds among Toads myself, but I don't let them make me feel off about it." She smiled as she faced Birdo. "It doesn't compare to what you face, but I try my best always."

"That's what we need to do," agreed Birdo. "Still…I just can't shake it." She let out a forced laugh. "You know I wanted to be called 'Birdetta' a while ago?"

"Really?" Toadette bounced. "Should we be calling you by that?"

"No, that was some time ago, and back when I didn't quite understand." Birdo sighed. "That was back when I wanted to claim an identity for myself. Now, though…" She held her head back up. "Well, 'Birdo' was always a gender-neutral name. And, furthermore, I've grown to like that."

"But why?"

"It lets me claim that name for my people, and gets everyone to associate it with all of us." Birdo turned to Toadette for a moment. "Keeping that as my name makes me feel like I can rise up both as myself and for my people. It may not let me stand out as well, but…I guess I feel like using it allows me to own it that much more." She laughed, more gently and genuinely this time. "It's weird, I guess."

"Not really, I think I get it. Toad actually takes it the same way, I'm pretty sure, so I can follow." Toadette smiled. "Just let me know if you ever change your mind!"

"Of course." Birdo nodded, and turned away again. "The name doesn't matter as much to me, though. It's still this…uncomfortable feeling in general about it all. And I can never get it to go away." She shook her head. "Maybe I never will. I can only hope that those after us will do better."

"We can only hope for them, but we can strive for changes today," insisted Toadette. "I feel like that's what Peach's campaign is about, especially now that she's taken a much more direct approach."

"Uh, I'd beg to differ, but…" Birdo looked away. "Ah, forget that."

"We can talk about it." Toadette held Birdo's hand. "But…what's bothering you now, if not about yourself?"

"It's…sort of about me." Birdo glanced at Toadette, who placed her hands on her hips. "…Ok, fine, it's about…Yoshi, I guess."

"Him?" Toadette tilted her head. "Did you guys get into an argument?"

"Ha, no, not at all." Birdo held herself together, rubbing her arms. "Yoshi's so nice to me, always has been, ever since we met." She glanced down at the water. "I guess he's like that with everyone, but back when he first came to know me…I don't know. It felt so…special."

"…You like him," realized Toadette.

"Kind of, I think so."

"Wait, you're not sure?"

"That's the thing…" Birdo sighed. "Don't get me wrong, he's really cute, and I'm super grateful that he's been such a steadfast friend to me." She chuckled. "He's probably the reason that anyone even talks to me at all." Holding herself up a moment, Birdo couldn't maintain it, and then slouched. "But…I don't know if what I feel for him is an actual desire to be with him specifically, or…or if I just like the attention."

"What do you mean?"

"How friendly Yoshi was to me, back ages ago, and how he's always happy to include me with sports and other events…it's wonderful." Birdo's voice broke a bit at the end, but she shook her head. "But…what it does is pull me from my solitude, and that's what makes me wonder…" She turned to Toadette. "Nowadays, I've got you and the others keeping close to me. I don't like being lonely, after all, and he's always helped me escape from solitude. Though, these days, I have friends, like you, some of the Shy Guys I know, Daisy when she's not hanging around Peach…I think I even like Luigi and even Mario more, if you could believe it." She rolled her shoulders. "So, it's not like I crave his attention specifically. I want it, but I don't know if it's because I want him always, or if I just miss him."

"Doesn't that account for it?"

"Not exactly." Birdo rubbed her arms again, reaching for her shoulders. "It's like, if we weren't together, I'd still have others to be with. And when he's around me, I feel more at ease, but…when I want him with me, it's not for us, it's just so I feel more secure." She lowered her head. "And I don't think that's the right way to go about it."

"But…that still sounds…"

"Confusing, I'm sure." Birdo shook her head. "I think I'll always love Yoshi, but what that love means for either of us…that's the real question." She lifted her head up. "But, I have to figure that out for myself." Another laugh escaped her. "I'm always pushing him into me, asking for a date, or keeping close to him. Yet it's not where I want to go with it, I don't think…" She tilted her head. "I want us both to be happy, and while I think that's together, I think it's different from romantic love. He even put his heart somewhere else, so I know for sure he's not interested. We just need something else between us." Birdo nodded and turned to Toadette. "Maybe it's the companionship? Or maybe it's something else." She glanced away. "But…when I get the time, I'll sort that out."

"Can I help you with it?"

"This did help, even if it sounds like a mess," joked Birdo. "Really, just having you listen is enough to help me out, Toadette."

"You're always welcome, Birdo."

"Good." She stretched a bit and pulled her arms over her head before releasing and dropping them back down. "Ok, now you."

"Huh?"

"Time to talk about you, Toadette," reiterated Birdo. "I feel like you've kind of got something of an opposite problem to mine."

"How do you mean?" Toadette shook her head. "What is my problem?"

"Um, how do I put this delicately…?" Birdo deflated. "Ok, I'm just going to come out with it: your undying loyalty to Peach. That's…weird."

"She's my princess, Birdo!" Toadette giggled. "I need to be so loyal to her, of course."

"Yeah, but what do you want?"

"Me?"

"Yes, you." She sighed. "Toadette, what are your personal aspirations? I want to figure myself out, become famous, help my people more, be accepted as I am, but what about you?" Birdo folded her arms back down. "What does Toadette want to be? What does she strive for?"

"To…to best serve my princess—"

"That's your job, not your desire," argued Birdo. "What do you want, not concerning Peach?"

"Well, I don't…really think like that?"

"You don't what?"

"Think like that," repeated Toadette. "My duties are what help me feel fulfilled. Best serving Princess Peach…that makes me happy."

"That can't be you to your core."

"It is."

"No, you just think it is," contested Birdo. "You have autonomy, Toadette."

"Uh—"

"At least for your thoughts and desires," rephrased Birdo. "You have a life past Peach, don't you?"

"…Um, not really."

"Why not?"

"Doing what she needs is my life." Toadette smiled. "Seeing her happy, knowing that she has me to lean on when need be…I'm happy with that."

"Please don't be."

"But I am."

"Independence helps shape you too, though," persisted Birdo. "If you have nothing for yourself, then what if you're not with Peach anymore, just by circumstance in the future? What would you ever do?"

"Peach would never be without me," maintained Toadette. "She needs close allies, and I don't ever want to think of her alone, or…or…" She quickly shook her head. "The truth is that she needs me, and I always want her to depend and rely on me for whatever her needs may be."

"Brainwashed."

"Pardon?"

"You've got to be brainwashed to think like that," determined Birdo.

"Really, I'm not." Toadette lowered her head. "I guess I can understand how you'd come to that conclusion, and I do sound a little…maybe too into my job." She lifted herself back up. "But, my reasoning stands, and it is my own. No one ever influenced me into that. I've always been loyal to Peach, and I always will be."

"If you insist," relented Birdo. "I think we still need to get you out on your own. Get you some hobbies or something past servitude."

"Well, I have been treasure hunting."

"Neat! …That was for Peach too, wasn't it?"

"Mostly, yeah."

"Geez…" Birdo slid her hand up her cheek. "We'll figure out how to best help you out in time too. At least, I'll come up with something for us to do, break away for a little bit, you and I together."

"Break away?"

"Just for a little bit," reasoned Birdo, "while Peach has another flock of retainers at her beck and call besides you."

"Oh, I…I guess that would be ok, if she's cared for while not with me."

"There you go; that's a bit better." Reaching down, Birdo picked up some stones. "Come on, before they drag us back by the others, let's skip some rocks and see who gets one across the water."

"But…why?"

"Why not?" Birdo shrugged. "It'll be fun."

"Hm." Toadette giggled, and took a rock from Birdo. "Ok, let's do it!"

Smiling a bit, though scratching behind my head, I quietly retreated from them, as they continued talking about various topics while tossing and skipping the stones over the river.

Walking back from their spot, I went back by a few odd stones that gathered. Studying the ground, I noticed the markings of the runes were traced within the dirt. Was this where we had started? I hadn't even realized that we had gone away from it.

"The river wasn't on top of us before," I murmured. "Makes sense…"

"Luigi?"

Twisting around, I spotted Yoshi, who wandered out from behind a star stone. He gazed at me for a moment, but lowered his eyes and looked away.

"Yoshi, I think we—"

"We're back!"

Daisy emerged in the same area, stretching her arms. She threw them down and sighed, turning as Merle, Merlow, and Peach returned to the center as well.

"…Where are Pauline and Rosalina?"

"Moving a little slower, but they should be here in a moment." No sooner had Peach clarified that, and both appeared just behind her. "Oh wow, there we go."

"Luigi, you totally missed it, and that was among the coolest of things we've gotten to see so far!"

"Magic tends to be pretty cool, I suppose," agreed Merle. "Though, it's quite taxing to use, and the land doesn't appear to have any issues, yet isn't morphing just yet." He curled his mustache around his fingers. "It has been a little while since Merlow and I trained here with a larger group, so it could be assessing how to train us together." Merle released his mustache and nodded. "Perhaps now would be a nice time for a break."

"Perfect." Pauline spun around to Rosalina. "I have several more questions."

"Well, I am delighted to answer, though I have more for you as well." Rosalina pointed to Pauline's bag. "Do you not have those toy characters with you?"

"Oh, like Mini Mario and the others?"

"Yes, I was hoping you could tell me more about those!"

"Sure, that'd be great!"

"Hey, I want to listen in too!" Daisy hurried over to the chattering pair. "Come on, let me listen in!"

"I'll go check on Toadette," decided Peach. "She and Birdo are by the river, right?"

"Yeah." Yoshi pointed out the way. "Just follow me, I'll bring you to them."

They wandered off to the river, and I hesitated to follow. Shaking my head, I walked away from the group and past a few trees, deeper into the valley's forest.

Sitting down by a fallen tree trunk, I waited a moment, gazing around the land. I wasn't sure what it was, but I kept waiting for something else to happen.

"Enjoying the scenery, or the silence?"

Flailing and spiraling around, I spotted Merle, who had followed me out from the group. Exhaling and clutching my chest, I sank back down, as he chuckled and sat beside me.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to startle you." He tugged his mustache and shook his head. "Though, I suppose my appearance can be a bit frightening all the same."

"Maybe, but your friendly demeanor totally offsets that."

"You think me friendly?"

"Sure, if you're patient and helpful enough to teach Peach and the others," I reasoned. "You're teaching a lot, so, I'd consider you pretty friendly, or at the very least, informative and helpful."

"Huh. That's very kind of you." Merle nodded, and then pointed down at the log. "May I join you for a moment? I wasn't quite taken with, ah, listening about toys. Merlow seemed to take a small interest, but he certainly wouldn't tell me." He shrugged. "He can be…moody."

"So I've noticed." I shook my head. "That's ok, he's growing and trying to learn too." I waited as Merle watched me for a moment. "…Oh, sorry! Take a seat."

"Thank you!"

He sat beside me, keeping a slight distance, perhaps to look me over. Doing the same, I studied his indigo cloak that covered his white robes beneath. His foot stuck out a bit at the bottom, revealing an orange shoe, but nothing else. Nothing appeared from his hood; just his eyes and the mustache were visible, floating in a dark space above the red orb that pinned his cloak together.

Shaking my head, I lowered it, and mumbled, "Sorry."

"Huh?"

"Staring."

"Oh." Merle laughed. "That's quite all right. We are strange compared to most other species of the Mushroom Kingdom, and that's a statement in and of itself!"

"Maybe."

"You know, I've been wondering something." I raised my eyebrow as Merle watched me. "How come you haven't joined in with this training?"

"Me?"

"Yes, of course."

"Um, I can't use magic." I scratched my head. "Why would you think that I could?"

"But you're Kingdom-born, are you not?"

"My brother and I think so." I paused as he stared at me. "Mario, that is."

"Right, I'm aware." He still studied me quietly, something calculating in his bright yellow eyes. "…I was wondering about telling you something regarding him…"

"Does it happen to be something about him dating Bowser?" I rolled my eyes. "Everyone in our group already knows, so if that's your big surprise—"

"Oh, so you all do know, that's what we thought." He chuckled. "To think, that's not the shocking part for anyone these days."

"…That's…not what you were going to tell me?"

"Nope." His eyes curved up a bit. "Hm…I do want to tell you all I know, but for everyone's safety, you wouldn't be able to tell anyone else." He checked around him, making sure no one was within earshot of us. "I don't know how Peach's forces would react, and considering that things are going well enough so far, I'd rather not, ah, invoke her potential wrath?"

"You want me to lie to them?"

"No, just, not tell them important events and details." He paused before he deeply sighed. "Ok, maybe this is a bad idea."

"Well, you can't just build everything up like that and then not tell me anything."

"If I do, it could be riskier." Merle shook his head. "It's probably best if I don't discuss—"

"Don't tell me anything, and I'll tell Peach," I threatened. Merle leaned back, and even I was taken aback at my reaction. "…Sorry, that's not…" I shook my head. "I'm sorry, I won't do that. It's not in me, I don't know why…" My head hung as I sighed. "It's just, if it's about Mario, I want to know. I'm worried about him."

"Earlier that would've made sense."

"Huh?"

"Oh, where do I begin on this…?" Merle tugged on his mustache. "All I can ask is that you keep these details to yourself." He sighed and deflated. "I'm weak when it comes to family."

"Family doesn't make you weaker." He perked up at me, and his eyes glistened a bit more after he heard that.

"…Ha. I like you." With another chuckle, Merle nodded. "Ok, ok. Please don't ask to me elaborate much on this, because we have little time remaining." He checked around the area again, but then leaned in closer to me, his voice lower than before. "Mario was here earlier, with Bowser. My father treated a curse that was within Mario, which was very powerful and dangerous."

"What?! By who?!"

"Hush, hush," he pleaded. Inhaling, I hesitated before I nodded. "…He's ok, now, my father helped him. Bowser was even the one who brought him here, with a personal slew of retainers that are still with my father now." Merle waited again, still checking around to make sure none of the others were nearby. "Sorry, I'm being cautious." Releasing a breath, he cracked his fingers and continued. "Regardless, Mario is doing better now, but still with Bowser, obviously. While he was here, though, my father began teaching him about magic that he's capable of performing." He gazed up at me. "Natural magic spells, which he became adept in quickly, and he was doing well before Bowser's forces interrupted and summoned them back to his castle."

"So he's…really ok…" I released my breath, clutching at my chest as my heart hammered, slowing finally. "Then…wait, he can use magic?"

"Yes, yes! That's my point." Merle lifted a hand to my shoulder. "You're equally as capable as Mario, I'm certain." I hesitated as his grip tightened a bit, but then released from me. "If you want, I could instruct you a little bit, and we'll just tell the others that you wanted to test your theories about being Kingdom-born, so that—"

"Sorry, but…I shouldn't."

"…Really?" He tilted his head in confusion.

"Yeah." I adjusted my cap. "Mario likely had his reasons for it, and I can't deny that I'm definitely curious about how it works." Pausing for a moment, as Merle leaned back just a bit, I shook my head. "But not only is learning now risky, I don't know if I could really handle magic on top of everything else. Peach is here trying to control herself with it, so…I can't imagine how it'll turn out for me."

"It's a wise and careful decision," relented Merle. "Very well. Though, while you're here, if you should change your mind—"

"Dad?"

"Son!" Merle jumped up and away from me. "Ah, what, uh, what do you need?"

"The princesses are looking to get back to training." His dim yellow eyes narrowed a bit on me. "…Did I interrupt anything?"

"No, no, it's…nothing to worry about, Merlow." Merle placed his hands on his son's shoulders. "Son, I will tell you later, but for everyone's safety, I can't at this moment until we're home again."

"…Ok." Merlow waited for a moment, shifting his eyes between his father and I briefly. "Um…I'll tell the princesses you'll be there in a minute."

"Thank you." He watched as his son shuffled off, and Merle slouched. "Oh, that could have been disastrous." Turning back to me, he brought his hand to his…uh, where his face would've been. I think he lifted a finger to tell me to keep quiet, though soot-brown gloves with basically a black shadow behind them made seeing it near impossible. "Please, please try to keep that a secret," he implored once more. "Shamans are meant to be neutral in Mushroom Kingdom affairs, though if I'm being honest…I am a bit partial to Bowser himself." He chuckled and shrugged. "Fellow dad and whatnot. Though, considering your strong family ties, I'll root for you and your brother too." Merle glanced away for a moment. "Hopefully what we're doing will help settle everything." He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I'll head back to them."

Hurrying off from me, my eyes followed Merle as he disappeared behind trees, off to work with Peach and the others again.

Just as I stood up to follow, though, Yoshi walked out from Merle's direction. He jumped up at spotting me, and we both hesitated a moment. Glancing away, he pivoted back and took a few steps away from me.

"Wait!"

Halting in place, he peeked over his shoulder, and I started over toward him. Maybe the group would move on, we might get lost, but that didn't matter to me right now.

"We should talk."

Deeply sighing, Yoshi nodded and we both made our way back over by the river. I leaned against a tree while Yoshi sat by the riverbank. He watched the steady current, perhaps letting it soothe him…but he still frowned. My attention went across it, glancing around the trees and checking over the sparkling star-shaped stones. They were brighter, but if anything was set to happen, it wasn't going to be this second. I turned back to look for someone trying to find us from our group, but no one appeared, no coming interruptions.

Just us.

"Where should we begin?"

"Wherever you want to," he suggested. He wouldn't make eye contact with me. "I already told you about it."

"And I responded, but that's not helping us with our current distance." I folded my arms. "We're still working together, but we're clearly not getting along—"

"Yeah, because it's awkward." Yoshi lowered his head. "We don't suddenly get to go back to normal in the blink of an eye, not after that."

"But I still don't understand." That got his eyes to widen, and…he turned to me, almost glaring. "What? Your crush came from nowhere."

"Nowhere, right, because I didn't explain that it's been building up—"

"From what, though? Just us traveling together now?"

"Ignoring every other adventure we've had, sure." Yoshi embraced the glare. "Let's just leave those out of it."

"But you've been closer to Mario with our adventures more often that not—"

"No, I've worked more with Mario," corrected Yoshi. "And, for your information, so have you. So has everyone else. Do you know why?" His fists tightened. "Because Mario's the one that always plunges into danger."

"So you're telling me that I don't do that."

"Luigi, that's why I was afraid of loving him!" He stood up from the waterside and stared at me, tears lining his eyes. "At least now, I get why he was so recklessly throwing himself into the throes of possible death." Yoshi stared down at the ground. "But I always felt like getting close to him was dangerous, that he cared more for something else than me." His eyes returned up at me. "That was never you. Because you were cautious, because you didn't immediately throw yourself into every battle Bowser baited us into, you could afford to be more concerned with everyone else too."

"Mario cares about everyone—"

"I know he does! Believe me, I do love him too, with all my heart," confessed Yoshi. "But, that's different. With him, I don't ever want to see the worst happen to him, but I don't expect him to be someone for comfort." His expression finally softened. "I thought that was you, and maybe I did get my feelings a little confused, but…" He stared into my eyes with his much darker blue pair. "I was hoping that we could've at least put it on the table for consideration."

"Look, I've never told you that it's not something to consider." He jerked back a bit, maybe not expecting to hear that. "I just don't know about it right now…"

"If not now, though, when?" Yoshi's shoulders dropped.

"Maybe after things settle?"

"That could take too long, we both know that."

"My brother is in the middle of all this."

"Ok, and?" He threw his arms out. "One of my very best friends is in the middle of all of this."

"That's not the same—"

"Oh, so, it's not?" A tear slipped from Yoshi's eye. "Ok then, well. Let's compare the scores. My entire island is facing a famine. Your brother is with a king, at least partially by choice."

"It's not—"

"Sorry, did he or didn't he confirm to you that they're romantically involved?" He waited as my mouth slowly shut. "Mario's in a very dangerous, a very challenging spot. Knowing him, he's trying to find a peaceful solution, and I know that he will do all he can for that. It's something you should believe in too, I'm sure." Yoshi deflated. "But he's still doing better by being in a controlling position."

"Is he?" I shook my head. "Mario's been struggling all the while with us, and we're latching onto the fact that he's with someone he loves, yes, but he's also battling loved ones in any direction he turns, and any path he follows." My heart sank as I realized what I was leading to: "No matter what, he's alone."

"…Yes, he is. Mario is in bad shape, I'll agree with you on that. And I want to help him too, that's why I came out in the first place, and that's why I'm still here." Yoshi lowered his eyes. "But that's not my point."

We waited for a moment, because he wasn't trying to get at that, and I had to put myself back to why we're here.

"My whole island can collapse in an instant, and rather than putting my efforts there, I'm out here. For your brother, my best friend." Yoshi picked himself back up. "Yes, I want Peach's support, and that gives me another reason to be here. But that's not what drove me over."

"I know."

"Birdo's here for what she claims to be for herself, but she's really here with a goal to ultimately help her people too," he brought up.

"Yeah, I've got that too."

"Daisy wants to help Peach, but if Bowser were to ever get control of the whole Mushroom Kingdom, he could set his conquest on Sarasaland next."

"He wouldn't need to," I started.

"Did you forget when he tried to conquer the galaxy and the universe?" Yoshi opened his eyes back up. "I didn't." He squeezed them back shut. "And again, not my point."

"Sorry." I didn't want to argue further for Bowser's defense, not on my brother's behalf and without the full story. "But again, I know that too."

"Well then you understand that this war impacts a lot of us in profoundly different ways, and we're all still trying to carry on living," reminded Yoshi. "At its core, Mario and Bowser are trying to find peace. It's almost easy to forget that Bowser jumpstarted this whole thing as another bid for the Mushroom Kingdom again, and yet that is what happened."

"But what if Mario gets him to stop?"

"Great, fantastic, and if Peach were to suddenly stop fighting with Bowser, so much the better for us all." Yoshi shook his head. "Are we going to keep bouncing back between facts and ideals, or do you want to keep hiding behind that instead of talking about us?"

"…You're right," I conceded. "I don't mean to."

"That's even something I still like about you," admitted Yoshi. "Even when everything is tough, you're looking out for others before yourself." He sighed. "You and Mario both do that a lot, probably more than either of you notice."

"Yeah, that's true."

"And that's why I can't figure out how to express to you that what stirred up in me isn't from nowhere." His voice broke a bit, and my heart sank further. "We've gone on a lot of adventures, played a lot of sports, and we've done a lot together, all of us." Yoshi brushed at his eyes and roughly shook his head. "So, I don't get why this seems so far out of nowhere for you."

"I just…I feel like it would make more sense for you to be…closer to Mario," I professed. "You and I, though…"

"Honestly, if you didn't factor in Mario, who would it be instead?" Yoshi folded his arms. "Would you tell me that it makes more sense for me to be with Toad or any of the others? Or that I should be with Birdo?" He scoffed. "If you even suggest Peach, I might actually—"

"No, no, I…well, besides Peach, those were fair options." Part of me wondered if I should let him know about Birdo…but that's between them. And this is between us.

"Well, that's not where I am," maintained Yoshi. "And I wish you'd just tell me 'no,' so we could be done with it."

"But I'm really not sure."

"Why though?" Two more tears slipped from his eyes, and I sank against the tree. "I've been trying to think of what it is, and I wish you would just tell me."

"What do you mean?"

"Look, I get that we're coming from seriously different places." He wiped his eyes again. "My people are so starkly different from everyone else out here, and it's been that way for so long." He forced a cough to clear his throat before recomposing himself. "Anyone else can speak the Kingdom language without issue, even Rosalina and Pauline, but then there's my people, the Yoshis, and we have our own language that cuts us off from everyone else, and has for ages." He twisted back and gazed at the river again. "And if it weren't for Peach's spell, you and I wouldn't even be able to talk, to have these conversations. It's not even permanent, like with what happened at the mansion."

Reminding me of that made me shudder; having been able to listen to Yoshi all this while made me forget that he doesn't normally speak the same tongue as the rest of us.

"So, that's in the way for us," listed Yoshi. "Besides us being completely different species, there's also the fact of how my kind are even seen." He glanced back. "Yoshis are usually seen by others like you would steeds, or pets." Yoshi slouched once more. "And I've been learning why that happens, because of how we act, and how we display affection, and how different it is from everyone else doing it."

"Not entirely."

"Please." Yoshi lifted his head and glared at the sky. "We're supposed to be distantly related to the Koopas, and yet they live in societies mirroring the Toads, in towns and cities. Serving under either banner, participating in the greater makings of the Mushroom Kingdom." He dropped his head again. "Then we have Yoshis, who live in tribes, and our greater concerns are almost always tied to our stomachs." He added a bitter laugh. "Even now, the thing that's tearing at my people is still related to food."

"It is needed for survival."

"Yes, but it's still proving just how detached we somehow ended up from the whole Mushroom Kingdom's system," emphasized Yoshi. "Because of how we live, how we have lived, my people are always viewed as lesser than what they should be." His arm went back over his eyes. "And it's not just the Mushroom Kingdom's general populace dividing us. My tribes only teach most of us about our own cultures, and we're only ever seen as guests to the greater Mushroom Kingdom, in spite of actually being actively involved with them. The longer one of us associates with the regular business of the Mushroom Kingdom, outside of helping out in wars and events, the stranger that seems to be." Yoshi slowly turned back to me. "My own people don't want to be as involved as they should be."

"Why…why haven't you ever brought that up before?" I stepped over to him. "Yoshi, we could teach you the language, you can bridge us all closer—"

"Don't you think I've been trying that?" He whimpered a bit. "I have. It's just really hard. Even with help, it goes against what's been natural for centuries."

"Stars above, Yoshi, I…I had no idea this much ate away at you…"

"You shouldn't." He lowered his head. "There's always so much going on, and it's not really anyone's problem except for mine and some Yoshis that agree with me." Yoshi forced up a smile. "I can't tell you how often I try to keep myself together, because I know that, and I just want to be able to make people happy."

"At the cost of your own happiness." Just like someone we both knew.

"Trying to fix that will take too long, and we don't have the time to concentrate on it," reiterated Yoshi. "All I want for right now are three things: I want my people fed, I want Mario to come home, and I…I want you to see me for who I really am."

"Yoshi…"

He waited a moment, maybe for me to come up with something to respond with. But this was so new to me, and I hadn't considered half of what he had brought up just now. My body weighed heavy as I realized just how little I'd understood Yoshi at all, and now I'm not sure anyone else ever has. Not even Mario, and he could at least understand more of Yoshi's language than I could.

"You don't have to love me." I jerked up at his voice starting again. "I understand how really, really different we are…more than Koopas and Toads, more than Toads and humans, we're…really, really different…" His repetition seemed more to convince himself than acknowledge my concerns with it. Still, Yoshi picked his head up. "But you're one of the few people that I've ever told all of this to, Luigi. And you're one of the very few that I feel would best understand it. So…"

"…Even still…" I walked over to him. "…I want to do better than understand…"

"Maybe you can, some day," offered Yoshi. "But that's not where your concerns should be." I opened my mouth, but he covered it. "Because, even with me bringing all of this up, you're right…your brother is still caught up in a huge mess." He forced a smile, and I realized how hard that must be. "I've just been selfishly trying to get all of this across to you, so I…I shouldn't…"

"After everything, this time," I tried again, "let's not just sweep this aside, though." Picking up his hands into mine, I lifted them up, and felt his heart practically skip a beat. "After we fix the Mushroom Kingdom, we should figure out how to help more with Yoshi's Island." I smiled to him. "Your people are the ones who helped my brother and I survive when we were young. I'm sure Mario would agree about wanting to give back to them." My eyes locked onto his dark blue eyes, and I felt like I was looking at him for the first time. It was so fresh…new… "And now that we've started, I only want to keep getting to know you better…"

He gasped a bit when I wrapped my arms around him for a hug. I held him close and cupped my hand around the back of his neck. His arms slowly went around my back, hesitantly holding me. And then his grip tightened and we embraced for a little while. Yoshi shook a little bit while I held him, gently stroking him.

Slowly, I pulled my arms back, and he quickly tugged himself away from me. He blushed and smiled as he wiped his eyes.

"Thank you…" His lips wobbled a bit, and he shook his head, laughing a little. "Sorry, I…I think this is only making it worse…"

"No, it's not." He looked back to me. "It's starting to make everything better."

"Luigi? Yoshi?" We both jumped and I twisted around to see Pauline pop from behind some trees. She exhaled and hurried over to us. "Thank goodness you're both ok. It's been a little while, and we were about to move on, but you guys hadn't come back, so no one wanted to leave, and we just started to search for you." She paused and stared at me, shifting her eyes to Yoshi, and then back. "…Am I interrupting something?"

"Not at all, we talked." I smiled. "We're ready to go."

"Oh, was this about the…" She paused and glanced at Yoshi, eyes widening a bit. "The, uh, the thing that I…have no idea what I'm talking about?"

"She's who I told," I informed a puzzled Yoshi. "Like you told Birdo."

"Ah, ok." He giggled. "Here I thought you were actually internalizing everything." Yoshi blinked and tilted his head. "But, I honestly would've guessed Daisy, if you talked to anyone about it."

"Maybe I should?"

"One's enough, two's plenty," contested Yoshi.

"So, is this a thing now?" Pauline raised an eyebrow. "Because I'm very confused."

"Uh…I'll go over it a little while later," I decided. "For now, let's get back to focusing on Peach and the others."

Pauline nodded and smiled, turning back to lead us back to the rest of the group. Taking Yoshi's hand into mine, we followed.

---

...

Didn't think I'd ever get through writing all of this, but yeah, magical lore and, uh, several societal struggles for the Mushroom Kingdom.

Originally, this chapter was supposed to be exclusively about Peach's magical training, but to get there, I figured that going in depth would be necessary to make it all add up, and I didn't want Luigi's portion to be totally denied either. And as of writing, it's actually been literal years since I've written for both Merle and Merlow, so...yeah, that kind of hits me like a stack of bricks.

Anyway, since I've been delving into the magic of the Mushroom Kingdom, I figured that doing more than touching on it was required to really get into it better. So, I wanted to do that while bringing the Shaman characters back in. Along with that, I did want to expand on character motivations, since everyone shouldn't just be here for Mario, Bowser, Peach, and Luigi's twisted adventure; everyone has something at stake here. Plus, some ship teasing and testing!

Unlike how I had originally planned, the next chapter will actually go back into Peach's training, and focus more on the actual training, though there are some additional plot strands that I will include for more depth. Character depth!

The next chapter should be set to come out soon, so please stay tuned, and I'll add it in. And yes, this one will be shorter.

In the meantime, feedback is super appreciated. Based on that, I can determine whether or not I'll continue to actively or passively incorporate these elements in the future. Likely the latter, but maybe not? We'll see.

Thank you for reading and your support for the story! There is more to come soon, so please stay tuned.