Hi there Faithful Readers! I'm sorry this took a long time. In my defense, these days at least I have several projects going at once. Anyway I hope you like it!

The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!

"She's what?!"

"Well I assume Bowser has her in his castle but that's a guess really. I just know that she's not here."

"Oh no…I was afraid of that when Bowser turned out to be a fake."

"Yeah what's that about?"

"He's actually a Goomba. I guess Bowser enchanted him as a disguise."

"Oh I see." Toad said with a thoughtful expression. Then he panicked. "That means that we haven't really solved anything!"

"I know" Mario growled "Well, I guess the castle is now free."

"Yeah but Toad Town is still overrun by bad guys. The whole kingdom must be."

"Yeah true but you need to calm down." Somehow Toad's panic was serving as an antidote Mario's fevered thoughts and emotions. "We'll make everything right somehow."

"How?"

"Well…Luigi and I sneaked in here and beat up a fake Bowser. If two plumbers can do that, then I'm sure the Kingdom at large can figure something out."

"I hope you're right."

"Oh such a commotion" a new voice said "I do need a vacation." Mario and Toad turned to see Toadsworth shuffling closer "Mario, was it really you who released us from that terrible turtle?"

"Actually it was both of us" Luigi said as he finally caught up "Thanks for the help Mario" he said sarcastically "I was happy to guard Goomrex all by myself until the soldiers arrived."

"Yeah I did sort of bail" Mario said apologetically "I was just so…"

"Worried about the Princess" Luigi cut in "I get it. So where is she?"

"Gone"

Luigi listened in horror as the others filled him in on the situation.

"Oh man, that's horrible!"

"It is!" Toadsworth cried "The Kingdom is without a Princess and who knows this Bowser person will do to her! Meanwhile, he will surely try to retake Castle Toadstool, oh what to do!"

"Calm down Toadsworth" Luigi said "Remember your blood pressure."

"Yeah, it'll be alright" Mario said

"How?"

"We'll deal with this one step at a time" Mario answered "After all; we've already taken back the castle so that's a big start."

Toad had been a quiet for this last little bit but spoke now "Maybe you guys should rescue her" He gestured to the Mario Bros who looked stunned.

"Us?" They said in once voice, pointing at themselves for emphasis

"Sure! Look at what all you had to do to get in here and save the castle? You even got a preview of Bowser's fighting style. Also you guys really know the Princess well. I think it makes sense."

Before either Mario Bro could answer Toadsworth tapped the ground hard with his walking stick. "I do not think it makes sense! Mario and Luigi have performed very well today and deserve praise but we're talking about a quest to Dark Land, facing goodness knows how many dangers along the way. The Princess must be saved as soon as possible and the professionals will be the ones to do it."

"We can't send an army to Dark Land" Toad argued back, again cutting off the Mario Bros "Bowser will see that coming a mile away, he won't be expecting a couple of really skilled plumbers."

"We don't know what he'll be expecting but I'm speaking of what would be the most effective. The matter of the Princess will be discussed by the Royal Council and seeing as I'm a member and you are not, I think I know what I'm talking about."

"A job title doesn't make you any smarter than me."

"Watch your tone boy! I am your elder and deserve respect!"

"Excuse me!" Luigi shouted. Everyone looked at him in surprise and he blushed a little "Sorry about that but I wanted to say something. Toadsworth does seem to know what he's talking about and it's really not something to decide here in a hallway."

"Thank you Luigi" Toadsworth said with a small bow "What do you say, Mario?"

"Well you and Luigi certainly make sense, sir. We must do whatever's in Princess Peach's best interests" He seemed to be deep in thought but didn't say anymore.

"Wonderful! Now I suggest that the two of you go home and let us of the Council work out matters from here."

Toad looked a bit stubborn but said "Yeah you want to make sure nothing nasty has moved in while you were away."

"We had some intruders last night actually" Luigi said "I don't think they'll be back in a hurry but we should go check on things."

Goodbyes were exchanged all around and soon the Mario Bros were on their way back to Toad Town. The Bros were pretty quiet as they surveyed the damage. The Mushroom Soldiers were doing a very nice job of rounding up the Bowser minions that remained in town. The soldiers were also eager to talk to Mario and Luigi.

"When the barrier around the castle fell, many just scattered" one soldier said "Another factor was many troops were able to get out of the castle and join the fight."

Another solider said "Of course the real heroes of this particular story are the good people of Toad Town. They fought back with a ferocity I don't think the Koopa's expected."

"They need to be ready for round two" Mario said "This isn't over."

It took a bit of time but soon all knew the situation. Everyone was scared of another assault and they were also worried for Princess Peach. Some were more interested in thanking the plumbers for their efforts.

"It sounds like you boys are heroes" Tayce T said with pride "Here are some Super Shrooms on the house and I'll be sure to cook you up a feast the next time you come over."

"Gee, thanks!" Luigi said, his mouth already watering

"My library is always open to you boys" Russ T, the local researcher, responded while adjusting his glasses

"I'm glad you guys are around" a Toad Solider in a long cape said in a shaky voice "It was scary with all those bad guys around."

"How did he get through basic training?" one Toad asked another near the Mario Bros

Various citizens expressed their gratitude but finally the crowds began to break up. Mario turned to Luigi and said "I want to go talk to that guy Russ T some more."

"Huh? Why?"

"I have some questions for him about Dark Land."

"What?! Don't tell me you were listening to Toad!"

"I might have; you can head home if you want."

"Oh...I'm coming but I don't think I like this."

Soon they were in Russ T's small but cramped house. Most of the walls were covered in books but he seemed to know where everything was. He moved to a corner of the room and removed a book.

"Well not much is really known about Dark Land" he lectured "Few have gone there and none in recent years." He opened the book to show artist renditions of shadowy wastelands and lakes of lava. "As you can see, it's not like the lush hills of the Mushroom Kingdom. It's highly volcanic which greatly affects the terrain and the smoke reduces sunlight."

"I suppose that's why it's called 'Dark Land'" Luigi said with a shiver

"It certainly makes the name seem appropriate. Reports conflict as to when exactly Bowser and his clan settled the region but they have been there for many years."

"Do you know of the most direct road there?" Mario asked

"Well that greatly depends on where specifically you wish to get to" Russ T answered

"Bowser's Castle" Mario answered simply while both Russ T and Luigi jumped

"Good gracious, I thought this was academic curiosity!" Russ T said "You wish to actually go there?"

"Yes" Mario said "Princess Peach is in danger and Bowser most likely won't expect me to come."

"Mario you've flipped your cap" Luigi said shaking his brother by the shoulders "We barely survived this time."

"I wouldn't say barely, we both did very well if I do say so myself."

"Well…" Russ T said uncertainly "To answer your question, I must admit I'm not entirely sure. As I said, the region hasn't been properly explored by Toads for many years and goodness knows what Bowser has done to the place. If you are in earnest I could do a bit of research and try to put together a map."

"Thank you Russ T, I would be very grateful."

"You're going to be very dead!" Luigi exclaimed

"I was hoping I'd have backup" Mario said looking Luigi in the eye "I understand that you're scared. Honestly, I'm terrified but Princess Peach is our friend. I can't sit idly by and let Bowser have his way with her."

"Yeah but what can two plumbers do?"

"We won't know until we try. Are you coming Luigi?"

Luigi gulped but said "Of course I'm coming. I was trying to talk you out of it because there was no way I'd let you do this alone."

Thanks Bro!" Mario gave his brother a quick hug and they turned back to Russ T

"Er, uh, well then we'd better get started. If you boys want to run home and pack, I'll do my best to prepare whatever helpful information I can find in short order."

"Excellent!" Mario said "We'll be back soon and then we'll begin our great mission to save the Princess!"