Chapter 12: Final Preparations

Hugo started to pace in his hotel room. He was thinking long and hard about the words that Bowser decreed during his last match...

"Foolish Hugo... My plan is too far along now! You really think you can stop me? Bwah, hah, hah, hah!"

"What exactly does he mean about that?" Hugo thought, "I have to go and ask some Toads. Maybe they know anything about this..."

"Are you OK, Hugo?" Toshi asked,

"Yeah. I'm fine." Hugo replied, "Why?"

"I sense that something is troubling you." Toshi replied, "What is it?"

Hugo knew that he did not want to divulge his story towards other people. But, as the one of two players who brought the "Love Tennis Club" together and also its lone representative in the Star Cup championship final, he knew that he can no longer hold back on anything.

"Is it what that Koopa King said at the end of your match?" Toshi asked,

"Yes..." Hugo replied,

"I see." Toshi replied, "I, too, am unfamiliar with what he has planned. But I am hoping to put a stop to his plans if I can. As for you, you should put your worries behind you and focus on the match at hand."

"The championship final, right?" Hugo said,

"Yes." Toshi replied, "The one you will be facing is the legendary hero of the Mushroom Kingdom himself."

Hugo looked at Toshi and then said, "Mario? I will be facing Mario?"

"Yes." Toshi said and then walked right to Hugo, "I trust that you will do well. I'm sure Emily will feel the exact same way as you do."

Toshi then said, "You have served up exciting matches like a true samurai would. I remember watching you defeat Zeta. The way you kept the match close against overwhelming odds and how you manage to survive the fight makes everyone in the club look up to you. With Mario, I know you will give him a good match to remember. You have become our 'Mario'... A hero who will save the princess from evil."

Hugo began to smile and then said, "Thanks, Toshi. I know I'm gonna put up a good fight tomorrow!"

"Train hard, and fight well." Toshi said, "I know you will do well..."

At a walkway in the Tennis Village Resort, Rolf was looking at a red racket, autographed by Mario. He also looked at a photo of Mario. He thought, "He's one of the best opponents I have faced in a long time. I have never felt more proud of myself."

"Musing over an opponent? That is unlike you, no?" Someone said

Rolf turned around to face a young, blonde-braided woman with a black, sleeveless shirt and matching shorts. "Hello, Lola." Rolf greeted, "What brings you here?"

"Well, I've watched your match yesterday." Lola said, "I have to say that you were actually pretty good. You held your own right until the tiebreaker. What happened?"

"I gave it all my effort, but..." Rolf admitted, "Clearly, Mario is the stronger of the both of us. I had no chance to beat him once he got himself going."

"But, in hindsight, I have to give Mario credit." Rolf said, "He continues to show me that the sport can be fun."

Lola began to giggle. "What?" Rolf asked, "Did I say something funny?"

"N-no!" Lola laughed, "It's just that... Whenever I watch you play your hardest, you always have a serious expression. It is actually the first time I have seen you happy and lighthearted. I find that cute in a tennis player."

"Huh?" Rolf replied,

"To tell you the truth," Lola continued, "I was looking for a partner to play with for a long time. But... I never had a chance to look. The friends I have from North Academy were fine and all, but I am sure that they have destinies and aspirations of their own. My father would have wanted me to not only become a strong player, but also have someone to be strong with."

"Simply put..." Lola said, starting to become slightly nervous, "...I love you."

Rolf began to blush. For a while, he has been thinking of Lola, but because of his competitive nature, he never considered settling down and relaxing. Since joining the Love Tennis Club, Rolf started to be open for just about anything.

And it began with a hug as he caressed Lola with his strong arms. Then, they both softly exchanged a kiss. After a few seconds, they let go of each other and looked at each other. They have finally found a partnership that nobody expected them to have... And that is love and courtship.

Zeta walked around the resort. She also looked up at the tournament board. The team of the Helghast soldier and the Shy Guy were defeated by the team of Bowser and Boo.

"I never expected the soldier to lose..." Zeta thought, "But I fear that something will come from Bowser... From what I know and witnessed, he's more evil than I could ever be. Despite this, I can safely say that I trust Suzuki and Gloria to do well against him and Boo. They will hopefully stop his reign."

Zeta continued to walk towards her hotel room. When she arrived, she was met by a young turqouise-haired woman in short black shorts, a red tank-top, and a aqua jacket. "Excuse me..." Zeta began, "But who are you? How did you enter my hotel room?"

"That information is classified." The young woman replied, "My name is Miranda. And you must be Zeta."

"Yes..." Zeta said, somewhat taken aback that this mysterious young woman knows who she is, "You know who I am?"

"I apologize if this sounds sudden to you, but I am working undercover to expose the Koopa King, Bowser." Miranda explained, "I have sufficient proof to show that he pulled some strings to invite the Love Tennis Club to take part in the Mushroom Kingdom tournaments."

"So, you mean..." Zeta began, "He was involved in having us come here?"

"Exactly." Miranda continued, "Not only that, and you may have witnessed this beforehand, he is intending to kidnap a young female tennis player."

"I have several young girls in my club." Zeta said, "Who could Bowser possibly be targeting?"

"You might want to look at this." Miranda said and showed Zeta a large document.

When Zeta examined the document closely, her face became white as a sheet. Zeta did not have the energy to gasp at who she was looking at. She dropped the document and sat on the bed.

"I'm afraid so." Miranda said, solemnly

Zeta then hung her head high. "I have to warn Hugo!" She thought, "This is vital to him and to the club!"