StarlitDuck
Glad you enjoy Daisy in this! I plan on giving her the spotlight like I did with the other three characters in a future chapter, so stay tuned.
nintendoscript15
Thanks again for the collab! I intended all of those takeaways you mentioned.
breath20k
Thank you for your compliment! It means a lot!
Corona Mountain
Peach was sitting in her cell, extremely bored. That was until Shadow Mario showed up in front of her cell. She facepalmed in response.
Peach: Please, take off the facade, Junior! I know who you are!
Shadow Mario transforms back into Bowser Jr.
Bowser Jr.: Sorry, Mama Peach.
Peach: And quit calling me that! Your father is nothing but a dirty liar!
Bowser Jr.: He is NOT! My papa is the most honest person I've ever met! It's that bad Mario dude, and his gang who are lying to you.
Peach: You do realize that Daisy and Aqua are a part of his "gang". And if I really was your mother, then you'd be fighting against your aunts.
Bowser Jr.: They are not my aunts! Papa said that Mario brainwashed you into THINKING that!
Junior then calmed down.
Bowser Jr.: I don't want to yell at you, mama. Can we please have a nice talk? Please? I want to get to know you.
Peach groaned and sighed.
Peach: Fine. I guess it's better than just sitting in here doing nothing.
Bowser Jr.: Yay! Thanks, Mama Peach! So, questions: What's your favorite color? Do you like long, romantic walks on the beach? How did you meet papa? What's your favorite food?
Before he could continue, Ludwig ran into the room.
Ludwig: Lord Junior!
Bowser Jr.: What do you want?! Can't you see I'm trying to have a nice conversation with mama?
Ludwig: Those fools beat me and my robot. I don't understand. How are they so tough?
Bowser Jr.: Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's because you SUCK!
?: Lord Junior!
Iggy ran into the room, panting.
Bowser Jr.: Oh, WHAT NOW?!
Iggy: Sorry to interrupt, prince, but you may want to have a look at this.
Iggy took out a small tablet and it showed a news report.
Report: ...D.E.B.S. ALERT...Witnesses have reported that the perpetrators responsible for polluting the island, and scattering our sacred Shine Sprites, have been seen in two different locations at the exact same time on numerous occasions. On a related note, the perpetrators would sometimes be seen fighting each other for reasons unknown. This paint pandemic has gotten us more suspicious. We will leave news updates as we study this further…
Junior and Ludwig were stunned by this report. This wasn't in their plan.
Bowser Jr. and Ludwig: Oh… crap…
Iggy: They're starting time see through us, Junior! If we don't do something about this, the government will eventually find out who we really are! Mario and friends will no longer be held accountable for our crimes, and WE'LL be arrested! We have to get rid of Mario and the others, RIGHT NOW!
Bowser Jr.: How do we stop them?
Ludwig: Hmm… you know. Now that I think about it. I do remember hearing Aqua scream as I was washed up by a huge wave. That could be useful for defeating Mario and co.
Iggy suddenly lit up a lightbulb over his head.
Iggy: That's it! Each of our Shadow selves have the same genetic makeup and abilities as the originals. So, if Aqua can use that power, SHADOW Aqua can use it too! I guess she's not so weak after all.
Ludwig: Iggy, you rival my own genius. I like what you're thinking!
Bowser Jr.: Where is Wendy now?
Iggy: She's in Noki Bay. I heard that she lured an eel with bad hygiene out of it's hole to pollute the entire bay.
Bowser Jr.: Ludwig, go contact her and tell her about our plan.
Ludwig: Got it!
Little did they know that Peach sent another holo-Peach having heard the entire thing.
Delfino Plaza
In Delfino Plaza, it was noon and Luigi and Aqua were taking a walk whilst having Ice Cream. Luigi had pistachio and Aqua had strawberry.
Aqua: So, this Polter… thing you used captured all those ghosts?
Luigi: You bet! I couldn't have saved my bro without it.
Aqua: Could I see it some time?
Luigi: Sure! Maybe Professor E. Gadd could show you how it works along with some of his other inventions. He is a bit crazy, I admit, and is a bit TOO obsessed with ghosts. But I still consider him a good friend for helping me out.
Mario, Daisy and Melon came towards them.
Mario: Hey guys, FLUDD has another news report, and I think it might help us find the next area.
Luigi: Alright, let's hear it.
FLUDD: ...D.E.B.S. ALERT...A mysterious band of light has appeared in the area of the city's central dock. Local residents have been spotted gazing curiously up into the sky…
Aqua: Band of light?
Daisy: Don't ask. We don't know, either.
Mario: Maybe this is where we'll find the next area.
Melon: If you're going to Noki Bay next, then count me out!
Luigi: Noki Bay?
Aqua: Why, Melon?
Melon got really nervous and started scratching the back of her head.
Melon: Well… I have a confession to make… Please don't laugh, but us Yoshis on Isle Delfino… we can't swim.
All except Melon: WHAT?!
FLUDD: It's true. The native Yoshis on this island cannot enter deep water without disintegrating into particles and turning back into an egg. It's very unfortunate for them.
Aqua: Aw. That's so sad. If you could go into deep water, I could teach you.
Melon: Thanks Aqua, but I can't. So, if you're going to Noki Bay, there's a lot of water there, so you're on your own. Sorry.
Mario: It's okay, Melon. We all have our weaknesses.
Luigi: So, where is this 'band of light'?
Mario: Follow us!
They made their way to the central dock. In front of a fountain was a painting of a big Shine Sprite on the ground emitting a large aurora rising into the sky.
Melon and Daisy: Oooooh!
Aqua: It's so pretty!
Mario: So majestic… I'm gonna try and touch it.
Luigi: Uh… Mario? I don't think that's a good idea.
Mario didn't listen and stepped into the light. The others assumed it was safe and stepped in as well, except Melon, who stayed out of it.
Daisy: Well, we're in. What now?
Mario: Hmm…
*flashback*
Luigi noticed a spotlight on the sun image on the floor.
Luigi: Uh guys? Was that light always there?
Mario: No, it wasn't. Let's-a check it out!
Yoshi: Wait! What if it's dangerous?
Mario: Oh relax Yoshi! What could go wrong?
Mario walked down the stairs and onto the sun image. He knew it had to mean something. So he tried running around in circles, pound grounding on it, and even tried looking at the symbol for perhaps a hint, but nothing.
Mario: Oh come on! This has gotta mean something!
Mario then looked up in frustration. But when he looked up at the ceiling he started to notice himself fading.
Mario: Huh?! Wha!
Luigi and Yoshi: MARIO!
They tried to grab him before he disappeared, but it was too late.
Luigi: NOOOOOOOOO! MARIO!
Yoshi: Luigi! Stop! Don't look into the light!
But it was too late. Luigi saw the light and faded as well. Yoshi accidentally looked too and was the last to disappear.
Yoshi: NOOOOOooooooo-
*end of flashback*
Mario: Ah ha! That's it! Luigi, remember when we used that warp in Peach's Castle to teleport to the Tower of the Wing Cap?
Luigi: Oh, yeah! That brings back some crazy memories. But, what does that have to do with this?
Mario: It seems to be a similar scenario here. Only this time, we have to stare at the real sun rather than a sun painting on the ceiling.
Luigi: Good thinking, bro.
Daisy: What are you talking about?
Luigi: You'll see.
Mario and Luigi looked up with eyes gazing directly at the sun. Daisy's eyes widened and she screamed.
Daisy: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?! YOU SHOULD NEVER EVER STARE AT THE SUN! ARE YOU TRYING TO GO BLIND?!
Aqua covered her ears and clenched her teeth while Daisy was yelling.
Aqua: (Typical Daisy…)
Just then both bros vanished before her very eyes, leaving the girls speechless.
Aqua: I think they're onto something.
She stared at the sun as well.
Daisy: AQUA, NO!
She vanished as well. Daisy screamed at the top of her lungs, attracting the attention of several bystanders. Then she calms down and breathes in and out.
Daisy: Why… Why doesn't anyone ever listen to me?!
She eventually gave in and looked up at the sun, being the last one to vanish. Melon then came and saw that Luigi and Aqua dropped their Ice Cream cones.
Melon: Welp, more for me!
She ate them off the floor.
Noki Bay
Steep cliffs and sea beds are what the Nokis call home. The huge waterfall and three soaring towers resonate with mystic history.
Mario and Co. reappeared on one of the many floating platforms in the waters of Noki Bay.
Mario: Mamma Mia…
Luigi: Wowie zowie!
Aqua: This… place… is… AMAZING!
Daisy: There you are!
Daisy slapped both of the bros on the cheeks.
Luigi: OW!
Mario: What was that for?!
Daisy: For scaring the crap out of me! That's what it's for! Next time, let me in on your idea, first!
Luigi: Okay, sheesh!
Daisy: So, where are we? Some kind of ancient ruins, or something? It looks pretty nice.
FLUDD: We are now in Noki Bay. This is an area where the Nokis reside. It was once ruled by an ancient Noki King.
Daisy: Uh, we came here for a vacation, not to learn like I'm back in high school history class.
Aqua: I'm gonna go for a swim! JURONIM-!
Before she could jump, an Old Noki stopped her.
Noki Elder: Don't jump in there! It's too dangerous!
Mario: Oh, hello. Are you in charge here?
Noki Elder: Ahhh, welcome! Masters Mario and Luigi, and Princesses Aqua and Daisy, I presume?
Luigi: You… know us?
Noki Elder: We have heard much about you!
Daisy: Uh, they're good things, right? Right?
Noki Elder: Yes, all of it good! As for me, I am just an old man who loves nothing but fishing. But lately, I have had a terrible problem…Please look up there.
The man pointed his fishing rod up towards the cliffside, and the heroes saw a horrible sight. There was a Monty Mole in a cannon sitting atop of a giant cork, blocking the waterfall, and it was shooting out balls of goop all over the place, making a mess everywhere! Pink and yellowish goop just like the goop back on Delfino Airstrip was now decorating the side of the ruins that they were beside. It was just one big, sticky mess!
Noki Elder: I don't know who did it, but someone corked our waterfall! This, no doubt, is why our lovely bay has become polluted! And I can't even fish!
Aqua: Polluted?! NO!
Daisy: I don't know. I don't think a waterfall could keep an entire bay from getting polluted. Something just doesn't feel right…
Luigi: Well, whether this is the cause of the pollution or not, we still have to put a stop to this!
Noki Elder: And so, I ask for your help. Yank that cork! Please fulfill this old man's wish…COUGH! HACKPTH! HACKPTH!
Mario: Woah! Are you okay, sir?
Noki Elder: I'm… fine… So, will you do it?
Mario: Yes, we will. You can count on us!
Noki Elder: Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! I knew I could count on you. Just beware that guy on the cork!
Luigi: Got it!
They jumped across some platforms and climbed up the nearest tower. Up there was a platform connected by a large pulley to a pot.
Daisy: What are we supposed to do with this?
Mario: I got it!
Mario sprayed water into the pot to fill it up. The added weight made the platform they were standing on, lift up. They then jumped onto the cliffside.
Daisy: What gave you that idea?
I figured that pot was too light, so I sprayed water in it to make it heavy enough to lift us up. I know how scales work.
Luigi: Great! Let's continue on.
Walking down a path, the heroes ran by a brown inscription on the wall. Out of curiosity, Mario sprayed it and the wall around it moved inward to reveal a coin. The others were impressed.
Luigi: Oooooooooh!
Aqua: It's like MAGIC!
Daisy: Well, magic is pretty common around here.
Mario grabbed the coin for kicks and they traveled on. As they did, they cleaned up graffiti symbols on the walls to reveal platforms. Luigi even used his Rocket Nozzle to take a few shortcuts. When they were almost at the top, they ran into another Noki.
Noki: Oh, are you the Mario gang? That guy down there's my teacher...I mean, my grandpa! Heh heh!
Daisy looked perplexed by this Noki's choice of words.
Daisy: Which is he? Your teacher or your grandpa?
Noki: Err… that doesn't matter. Anyways, that cork is farther up ahead… Be careful, though! There's a weird guy perched on top of it. He'll start tossing explosives at you if you get too close!
Luigi: That sounds familiar…
Noki: I thought you might need help, so I got you this springboard. If you spray it, it'll shrink and be easy to carry. Please use it!
Mario: Thank you! This should come in handy.
Mario sprayed the spring and it retracted. He picked it up and put it in a good spot to spring up into action. Luigi didn't need it since he had the Rocket Nozzle, and Aqua just hovered over to the cliffside, but Mario and Daisy usedit.
Finally reaching the top, the Monty Mole noticed Mario's presence.
Mario: Hey! Get out of here! You're causing a ruckus!
Monty Mole: You again?! I'm not losing to you this time! Taste bomb!
Mario and friends did the same thing as they did last time. Monty Mole throws a bomb, Mario sprays it, then they throw it back. This repeated three times before the Monty Mole fainted and the cannons exploded. But instead of the cannon emitting an aura like last time, the cork it was sitting on came loose and went flying into the distance, leaving the water from the waterfall spraying out of the hole. A Shine Sprite appeared as well, and the heroes celebrated before grabbing it.
SHINE!
All: YIPPEE!
