(A/N: Okay, here's another story for "Super Mario Odyssey". This one takes place during the post-game stuff, but it's gonna be a little different. I'll get this fic started so you can find out quick!)

It was a fine day in New Donk City. All the days in the city had been like this since Mario showed up and fixed everything Bowser had wrecked on that cold, rainy night. Speaking of Mario, I believe he's in the city right now, so let's go look for him!

Mario was currently standing outside of New Donk City Hall, talking with Pauline. He learned some more about her in the form of a quiz, and he also learned that today was her birthday. Not only that, but he got her a birthday present: a new purse that he found atop some scaffolding on the City Hall's east side! And Pauline was so happy with the gift that she gave him a Power Moon in return, but even so...

"I don't know how I can ever thank you enough for this, Mario! You really are a hero!" Pauline said to her friend.

"Non direi questo. I wouldn't say that, Pauline..." Mario replied, hanging his head in sadness.

"How come? What do you mean?" Pauline asked, looking at her friend with concern.

Cappy sensed that Mario wasn't going to be able to explain what he meant that easily, so he gave up control of Mario's Black Fedora, appeared before Pauline in his Bonneter form (which really surprised her) and quickly told the mayor what happened at the Moon Kingdom between, Mario, Princess Peach, and Bowser after Mario was sent down that trap-door at the wedding.

Pauline never would have guessed that Mario had been contemplating marriage to the Princess. But she had to admit that Peach did look very beautiful in her wedding dress. However, she was seeing that it was painfully obvious that Mario loved Peach for more than just her looks and her royal title. He loved Peach for who she was, and he hadn't wanted her to go with Bowser.

"And he still feels really bad about it." Cappy finished.

"Oh, Mario, I didn't know that." Pauline said sympathetically.

"That's not even the worst part, Pauline." Mario whimpered.

"It's not?" Pauline said, starting to feel bad when she heard his voice.

"When I went to her castle the following day to serenade her, and I found out that she had left... I... I-I thought I was the reason why she was gone... because no one knew where she had disappeared to... or why! She didn't tell them! I thought that... that m-maybe... she was still mad at me... a-and she didn't want to talk to me anymore..." Mario said, feeling as bad as he did during that moment.

"But that wasn't it at all, you know." Cappy said.

"I was hoping that wouldn't be the reason why the Princess left. I don't like to think of a princess as a person who would stay mad at her loving rescuer for screwing up his attempt to marry her." Pauline said.

"Here's the reason why Peach was gone: On our way to the Mushroom Kingdom, where Mario and Peach live, the Princess and my sister had discussed the idea of going on another world tour the following day. This tour was to make up for the one Bowser took them on." Cappy quickly explained.

"So the reason Peach left had nothing at all to do with Mario." Pauline realized.

"Yeah. The only reason Mario didn't know it is because he hadn't overheard their conversation like I did." Cappy said.

"But all Peach had to do was tell someone in the castle about her plans before she left. The people who live there really worry about her whenever she goes missing, because Bowser has a tendency to be sneaky. And I'll always worry about her... because I still love her..." Mario said, tears in his eyes.

Pauline looked sad for her friend. She didn't like to see Mario feeling this way. She was used to a more cheerful, can-do man.

"No, Mario, you can't blame yourself for the whole mess. Bowser deserves some of the blame, too, especially when you remember just what he did to New Donk City when you first arrived." Pauline said, handing Mario a handkerchief that she had in her pocket.

"Lo so. I-I know... But I feel that... because of my... my b-bad behavior... maybe Peach d-doesn't... love me anymore... I wouldn't b-blame her for... for that..." Mario said, using the cloth to wipe away the tears that threatened to fall.

"She might have been angry, but I don't think she hates you. I'm sure that your princess still loves you deep down inside." Pauline replied.

"You... y-you think so?" Mario asked as he handed the handkerchief back to Pauline.

"I'm sure of it. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but did I hear you say something about serenading her?" Pauline asked, putting the handkerchief in her new purse.

"Sì, l'hai fatto. Yes, you did. I wanted to. I thought that maybe... P-Peach might l-love me again... if I did a romantic move... like that." Mario replied.

"What song were you planning to sing to her?" Pauline asked.

"I was thinking about singing... and playing... "I Need You"... by the Beatles." Mario said.

"First of all, that's a good idea, because that is one of the group's many love songs, the key word being 'love'. And I really like them." Pauline said.

"Peach likes them, too. As do I." Mario said.

"And secondly, you can play? I didn't know that! What musical instrument were you going to play this song on?" Pauline asked.

"Una chitarra. A guitar. I took it with me when I went to the castle, and because I didn't go back home before I left to look for Peach, it's-a sitting in the Odyssey." Mario said.

"Have you been able to serenade Peach yet since you found out what she was up to?" Pauline asked.

"No. Most of the places Peach visited weren't suitable for me to play my guitar for her, Pauline. My guitar is a Rickenbacker, like John Lennon played. I really don't want to risk damaging it." Mario replied.

"I can understand. If I had an instrument like that, I really wouldn't want it damaged, either." said Pauline.

"Yeah." said Mario.

"But you should hear him play it sometime. He's played some songs for me on it, and he's really good." Cappy said to Pauline.

Pauline was silent for a moment, and then a light bulb appeared over her head.

"Maybe there is a way I can hear him play it, and allow him to serenade his woman at the same time." Pauline said to herself. Then she asked, "Mario, what would you say to me having the music festival again, tonight?"

"You really want to do that?" Mario asked.

"I don't mind. It is my birthday, and I think I should close a day like this one in a special way. Plus, I think when you show up, I'll let you play "I Need You" for your girl." Pauline said.

"I'm going to have to let her know about the festival if I can find her." Mario mumbled to himself. But then he said, "There's just one problem, though: I'm not taking my Rickenbacker through the course I went through to reach you and the festival, Pauline."

"You won't have to if you bring the guitar in its case to me ahead of time, and I'll have it sitting at the side of the stage for you to play when you arrive and I finish my song, okay?" Pauline asked.

"Now there's an idea!" Cappy said.

Mario was quiet for a moment, and then he said, "Okie-dokie. I'll do it."

"All right! Meet me back here later on!" Pauline smiled.

What happens next? You know the drill: stay tuned in order to find out!