FairyTalePrincess16

Yeah, we know that. But we're gonna see how things go out peacefully first.

StarlitDuck

Most people would probably assume that the Luma is the gift, but I disagree. Taking a creature that came out of the sky in which you don't even know what it is, and passing it off as a "gift" doesn't seem right to me. So I showed Luma meeting Peach after she sent the letter to make that clear and to show how Peach came across it. You'll see what the real gift is in this chapter.

Amethyst Goldenwind

Oh, thank you! This style is new to me, so feedback is very appreciated!

nintendoscript15

Well, you know now. And I think you're gonna like what's gonna happen in this chapter.

breath20k

I know, right? I honestly wish they were real so I could try tasting one.

RareDomains

This is one of my favorites as well alongside Sunshine, Galaxy 2, and Odyssey! That's quite an interesting imagination of yours, but yeah, it was a tube. The original game said that a strange force latched onto the ship and pulled the stars away. I honestly wasn't too impressed by that explanation and upped the ante by having Bowser and you-know-who meet face-to-face and have him use a metal tube to take the stars. I hope to amaze you with what's to come in this adaptation.

Nataly Guardado

Glad to see you here! If you loved "A Sprite of Light", I hope to impress you with this story as well. And I'm with you there. Star Bits must be tasty. Rosalina's storybook said that they tasted like candy.

LiamTheYoshi

Speaking of Luigi, in case anyone's wondering where he is, he'll show up later. I have something planned for him. I'm trying to improve my writing style, so I hope you like it. I also added BGM (Background Music) as a way to really immerse the reader into the atmosphere. Of course it's optional, but feel free to open up a YouTube tab to listen as you read.

Chapter 3: The Star Festival

At Princess Peach's Castle

[BGM: Peach's Castle DX - Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey]

"So, you're sure this Mario hero plumber guy can help me, Princess Peach?" Luma asked.

Peach was at her makeup desk and mirror getting herself ready for Mario's arrival. Luma sat down on the desk.

"If he can't help you, no one can!" Peach replied. "He's been on so many adventures all over the Mushroom World in order to save me. In fact, he seems to know the Mushroom Kingdom more than I do, which is really saying something since I'm their princess!"

"And he does all that stuff just for you? He must really care about you," Luma commented.

Peach's cheeks turned as red as her hero just thinking about him. "Yeah, he does," she sighed.

Peach then approached a small little box and took out a necklace that had a heart-shaped amulet with a photo of Peach.

"Ooh! What's that?" Luma asked curiously

"It's a lucky charm," Peach responded calmly. "I plan on giving this to Mario so that even in the toughest times when he's rushing through the enemy perils trying to save me, a part of me will always be there with him to stay strong until the end."

"That's… so sweet!" said Luma, who was shedding a tear. "I think he'll love it!"

"You think so?"

"If you mean as much to him as he does to you, then I KNOW he will!" Luma said with upmost confidence.

"Thanks, Luma. That means a lot," Said Peach with a smile. "He's also bringing a friend I invited over who's celebrating his birthday today! And I made the perfect cake for this occasion!"

Peach took off the tarp to reveal a white cake decorated with Star Bits.

"A Star Bit cake!" Peach announced. She noticed that Luma's eyes widened to the size of planets at the sight of said cake.

"Umm… could I have a slice of that cake?" he asked. If Luma had a mouth, he would've licked his lips for sure.

"Sorry Luma, but not until Mario and his friend arrive. But here!" She held out a few Star Bits she collected earlier. "Have these in the meantime."

"Thanks, Princess!" Luma said as he chowed down at the Star Bits. Peach couldn't help but giggle.

"You're welcome, Luma! And no need for formalities. Since you're my new friend, just call me Peach," she said with a smile.

[BGM end]

Meanwhile at the Star Festival

[BGM: The Star Festival - Super Mario Galaxy]

Excited to see Princess Peach, Mario frolicked through the gates of the Mushroom Kingdom with his wings spread out like a bird, and a big smile on his face.

"YAHOO!" he exclaimed while jumping into the gates. They closed right after he had entered.

"Mario, you're the last guest to arrive! Glad you could make it!" one of the gatekeepers greeted Mario.

"Thanks! I'm glad to be here too!" Mario saluted back. "Princess Peach invited me over to the castle. She said she had something special for me."

"Oh, really? That sounds exciting! I wonder what the gift is gonna be," the other gatekeeper said.

"Though she also said she invited a special guest over as well, and that I should keep an eye out for him. I wonder what that's all about," Mario pondered.

"Well, I'm sure it'll be an exciting meeting!" the gatekeeper exclaimed. "Have fun!"

"I will!" Mario replied as he left. "Happy Star Festival!"

"The Star Festival is starting! Yahoo!" "Evening, Mario!" "Yay, you're here!" "Welcome to the Mushroom Kingdom!" were some of the quotes of the happy, frolicking Toads running around collecting Star Bits. Mario smiled and saluted back to them, being in such a great mood. Mario then approached a Toad with lots of Star Bits in his two little hands.

"Yowza! Just look at these chunky things!" the Toad gasped in awe. Mario laughed a little.

"I know, right?" he joined in. "They're called Star Bits."

Just then, the Toad snickers with a dirty look on his face, confusing the plumber.

"Umm… what's so funny?" the plumber asked, wanting to be in on the joke.

"You said 'bits'! Hahaha!" the Toad laughed. Mario was annoyed by this and stared at the camera with a deadpan expression. He then left the scene.

Mario continued walking down the path to Toad Town. He saw the central area of Toad Town where lots of Toads were jumping and dancing. It would also lead to the path down to Peach's Castle. But before he went down there, Mario walked onto a wooden balcony. He was awestruck on how absolutely AMAZING the view was from there! It overlooked a lake, which thanks to the lights shining all over the kingdom, showed a beautiful reflection of Peach's Castle. Not to mention the Star Bits falling from the sky were also a pretty sight.

"Mamma Mia! What a view!" he complimented... "If I wasn't on my way to the castle, I'd definitely stay here. It's just the BEST!"

Before he could enjoy more of it though, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Confused, he looked behind him, thinking it was another Toad wanting to greet him, but gasped with what met his eyes instead. Standing in front of him was a little girl who looked to be 9 years old. Her height was 4' 5, she had long brown hair, and blue eyes. She also wore a patterned skirt with a white and blue striped pattern.

At first, Mario thought it was his old friend, Aqua, but then got a better look and noticed something different about her. She had no freckles for one thing, and her eyes while being the same color, were slightly smaller by a tiny bit and had 4 eyelashes on each eye compared to Aqua's 3. Mario stuttered on what to say as he did not expect this surprise.

"L-Leah?" He stuttered "Is-Is that… you?"

"Not just me." She winked as another kid came up from behind her.

Mario was so shocked that he practically covered his mouth. He was an 8 year old boy with a height of 4' 2, had brown eyes, and brown hair with the front part of it gelled upwards. He wore a white shirt with a vector image of Mario's iconic red cap, and blue shorts.

"ALEX?!" Mario finally blurted out.

"It's a me!" The kid responded while also laughing a little.

Mario was so overjoyed to see them that he embraced them in a big hug, and they hugged back.

"Mamma Mia! I can't believe you're here!" Mario exclaimed still in surprise, but also tears of joy. "Look at you! You two have grown so much! And is it just me, or do you two look different? You look more umm… how should I phrase it? ...Mushroom World-like than before."

Alex and Leah were confused at first but then remembered the change that they suddenly made. Instead of being in their live action forms like they would be in the real world, Alex and Leah now looked more animated, like they were a part of the Mario universe, Leah in particular looking as if she were Princess Aqua's long lost twin sister.

"Oh yeah… that." Alex remembered "Funny story. When we arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom using the secret dimensional zone, we were hit in the head by these colorful chunks falling from the sky, and they somehow made us look like this. It was like magic!"

"We were scared at first, but now… I actually think we look a bit better like this," Leah added.

"You know, I can't help but agree. You two look amazing!" Mario complimented. "So what brings you here during this amazing night?"

"Princess Peach invited me over to celebrate the Star Festival," Alex explained. "I'm also celebrating my 8th birthday here!"

"8th birthday?!" Mario exclaimed in shock.

"Yup! Today's November 1st! My little brother's growing so fast!" Leah said while hugging him

"I'll say. I still remember when he was only three," said Mario, recalling when he first met Alex when he was fighting for his life against ALL leukemia.

"Leah wanted to come too since she's never been to the Mushroom Kingdom before," Alex added.

"Yeah, and I already love this kingdom!" she exclaimed. "The people here are so nice, those Star things falling down from the sky are so tasty, and I can't wait to meet Princess Peach! I won't lie though, I'm a little nervous."

"Well, you're in luck, Leah. I'm on my way to the castle right now. She said she had something to give me," said Mario.

"Ooh! What is it?" Both of them said at the same time, making Mario giggle.

"I'm wondering about that myself, guys. And don't be shy, Leah. I promise you, she's very welcoming towards new people. Any friend of mine is a friend of hers."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's-a go!" Alex said playfully imitating Mario's iconic line.

"Wait up, Alex!" Leah followed. Mario followed behind as well.

Special thanks to my friend, nintendoscript15 for letting me use his characters, Alex and Leah! If you wish to know more about them, check out his story Golfing Struggles where both of them made their debut.