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The day continued to drag onwards and the two brothers did nothing other than stare out at the open scenery and take occasional naps as the train took them across the continent and into another realm. Mario and Luigi watched as the mountains became further and bluer as the landscape faded from dark grassy greens to light yellow sand. The brothers also discovered the hard way that it was getting warmer too. They sweat profusely under the intense glare of the desert sun and even found it difficult to cope with the shady corners of their metal cargo container. Water was becoming scarce and harder to live without, it was the only thing that the brothers did not bring with them.

It was now late afternoon. The sun was at its highest intensity and the inside of the train car was sweltering. In an effort to keep them cool, Mario and Luigi stripped down to their underwear to let their body heat escape more rapidly. Proper attire was not the first thing on their mind, the only thing they cared about was staying comfortable, so long as no one else had to look. But as they found about an hour later, it had one horrible side effect: their skin had been burnt red by ultraviolet radiation.

"Mamma mia!" Mario said. "My skin is red!"

"Ouch!" Luigi said, attempting to move his shoulders. "This will definitely help my skin darken up."

"Now we'll be set for the beach this summer!" Mario said. "Hell, it already feels like summer!"

"Don't mention it." Luigi complained. "The thought of it makes me thirsty."

"You're right, I won't mention it." Mario replied. "I need some deodorant."

As the evening progressed, the two brothers watched the sun dip below the sandy horizon creating a golden cast to the landscape. Mario and Luigi continually spotted what looked like pools of fresh water, but were dismayed that they were only mirages as the train continued cranking along across the desert. Mario took out the Diamond Star and examined for the first time since morning. He could not believe that he was holding an artifact that was over a thousand years old, but at the same time, it was right in front of him, glistening in the orange glow of the evening sun for the first time since the Shadow Queen's dominion over the entire world. It was once the most powerful force in the universe, Mario knew, but he also knew that it could potentially fall into the wrong hands. The symbol on the back was still an enigma.

Luigi was now asleep in the far corner of the car, lying there quietly and as stiff as a statue. Mario had never seen his brother sleep so soundly in his life, as he recalled past instances of night terror, insomnia, and the usual toss-and-turn ordeal. But this time, Luigi was not moving even the slightest muscle in his body. Mario smiled.

He's probably dreaming of Daisy. Mario thought. If only things didn't happen the way they did back at Peach's castle…

Mario was suddenly overcome with sadness as the thought of Peach and Daisy being tortured by Bowser continued haunting his mind. Never in his life had he been so overwhelmed with feelings of regret, pain, sacrifice, confidence, and love. Never before had he and his brother been faced with challenges that have pushed them to their very limits and made them question themselves in ways that would boost their morale. But most of all, Mario still could not believe that their destiny was to save the princesses and the world from Bowser's evil power. To him, this would change the direction of his and his brother's lives in the best of ways, ways that he could not even begin to imagine. Still, the horrible memories of the past continued to haunt Mario, like a Boo ghost inside a haunted house.

The sun was now sinking below the horizon and the sky was now beginning to get dark once again. The dry desert air was now cool and refreshing and the stars shone brightly. Mario looked up and saw the same three bright planets that were seen the night before: Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn. He started to remember the enigmatic thoughts that were popping in his head before about a possible connection between Bowser's evil plot and the heavens. He remembered the history lesson at Professor Frankly's house about the forging of the seven stars and their use of controlling the earth and heavens. Was there a similar celestial display at the time of the Shadow Queen's dark reign? Was history trying to repeat itself?

Before Mario could think about it any longer, Luigi was beginning to wake up from his slumber. Mario turned around and saw his brother looking up at him with squinted eyes.

"How long was I asleep?" Luigi asked.

"About two hours." Mario said. "Why?"

"I was just wondering if we were in Sarasaland yet." Luigi replied.

"No, I don't think so." Mario said. "We probably won't get there for another two hours or so. By then, it won't be long before we reach the first set of pyramids."

"How long before we reach the location of the second star?" Luigi asked.

"I don't know." Mario said. "All I know is that it's still a ways away. It might have to wait until later tomorrow."

"Damn!" Luigi said. "I was having the best dream too."

"I could tell." Mario said. "You wouldn't budge. What did you even dream about?"

"I don't think you'd like it." Luigi said. "It would make you angry."

"I think you've already said everything I needed to hear." Mario said.

"Good," Luigi said, "Because it involved Daisy."

Oh great! Mario thought. Here we go again!

Luigi yawned and lay back down on the floor of the train car to fall back asleep. Mario continued starring out at the dark night landscape and felt a cold shiver run down his spine as the cool wind blasted his face. It felt very refreshing after the hot and dry wind from the afternoon hours. Mario's eyes started to slam shut as the cool breeze knocked him into a deep, relaxing sleep that he had trouble avoiding. Then, he started dreaming about Peach…