Chapter 2: Of All The Places In The Universe

Everyone who was on the stage began to scatter with mixed expressions of surprise and panic, eager to avoid being struck by the incoming woman from above. Many from the surrounding crowd began to flee far from the stage, fearing for their safety. Kammy Koopa and even Bowser were apparently keeping their distance. Quite suddenly, the woman soared into near center stage with a loud:

SMASH!

The entire area rocked vigorously as the woman crashed into the stage at a tremendous velocity, smashing into the red carpet and crushing in a large section of the steel stage beneath it.

"Ah!" Peach cried, losing her footing and falling backwards. Mario caught her from behind, breaking her fall.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa!" Daisy cried, her arms extended on either side as she swayed, hands flailing. She was struggling to keep her balance, but she managed to not fall.

"Aiyee!" Pauline delicately yelped, stumbling in her heels. She proceeded to fall backward.

"I've got you!" Luigi heroically cried, his expression brimming with determination.

Luigi dove to catch her, but missed and instead had Pauline crash down onto his back butt first.

"Oof!" Luigi wheezed.

Toadsworth was also struggling with his footing, holding onto his cane as he grumbled. "Great galloping Goombas, this sure does takes me back!"

Why it did, no one could say. Once the tremors had subsided, Mario helped Peach to a stand. The Princess bore a soft expression, giving Mario a faint smile.

"Thank you." She said softly.

Peach's expression grew curious, her head tilted in interest as she proceeded to approach the mysterious woman. Smoke was rising from her figure, which could only be partially seen from Peachs position because of the dip she had created into the steel upon her impact.

Pauline stood to her feet, dusting herself off. She noticed Peach was walking towards the downed woman.

"Mamma mia..." Luigi groaned, lifting himself up with his gloved hands.

"Hmm?" Luigi softly barked, watching Daisy pass him as he stood tall. He directed his attention to the downed woman she was approaching shortly afterward and recoiled in surprise. "WHOA! SHE LANDED CLOSE!"

"Hey, Peach?" Daisy called from behind, her tone encouraging caution. "Are you sure you should be approaching her?"

"I could have been hit!" Luigi quietly cried from the rear.

"I must agree." Toadsworth added, nodding his head. "She could be quite dangerous! Yes, this is completely unsafe indeed."

"What are you guys talking about?" Mario barked, running towards the downed woman. "We should be checking if she's okay!"

"H-Hey, it's normal to be a little cautious! Why do you always have to be so damn reckless!" Daisy barked, a little flustered. Mario ran past her. "Hey! Wait for me!"

Without responding to any of the comments, Peach had arrived near the downed woman. She had dismissed any fears or worries. She needed answers. Upon closer examination, she could see that the woman had platinum blonde hair and a blue dress. Peach gasped, her blue eyes widened as she looked down at the woman who had fallen from the sky.

(It is her!) Peach awed in thought. Memories of her nightmare and Kammy Koopa's crystal ball were rushing back to her. (There is no question that she is the one that I saw in that nightmare!)

Peach remained lost in thought, her blue eyes trembling as her friends continued to speak from behind her.

"Peach?!"

"What did she gasp about? Do you think she's alright?"

"I highly doubt it! She came in like a comet, I say! Yes, guaranteed dead indeed!"

"DON'T ASSUME THAT!"

Mario was second to arrive, kneeling down to examine the downed woman with concern. Daisy, Luigi, Pauline, and Toadsworth arrived shortly after. Mario called out for someone to help him bring the woman to a stand. Daisy was the first to accept. Peach seemed lost in a daydream, staring at the soft face of the unconscious blonde haired woman in a blue dress. Her blonde bangs concealed her right eye. Mario and Daisy were helping her to a stand, the body limp and devoid of strength.

"Hey!"

"Peach!"

"Peach!" Mario called again, the woman's right arm weakly sprawled across his shoulders and around his neck for support, Mario holding her by her right hand and waist. Daisy was on the other side with the reverse orientation. "Snap out of it!"

"Oh…" Peach softly barked, returning to reality. "My apologies..."

"Is she dead? Oh god, she's dead! It's a dead body!" Luigi whimpered, turning around and holding back puke with his gloved hands, his face blue.

"NO SHE'S NOT DEAD!" Daisy growled, her teeth sharp for comedic effect.

"But she sure is heavy!" Daisy complained, her expression showing strain as she helped hold her up. "Geez!"

"LUIGI!" Mario cried, letting go of the woman and running forward at full speed. "Take her!"

"EYAH!" Daisy cried, collapsing from the sudden and awkward weight increase. Luigi was quick to react, taking Mario's place shortly after. They returned her to a stand with a minor struggle. "Geez Mario, what's your-"

Mario had leapt through the air, Pauline's eyes widening as she thought he was jumping for her. But he had in fact jumped above her. He soared beyond her head, his movement causing her scarlet sunhat to fly off of her brown haired head. Everyone watched in awe as Mario's white gloved fist met Bowsers massive scaly fist with a loud smack. The two of them struggled to overcome each other whilst in midair.

It was at this point that the remaining citizens who were here to celebrate the Star Festival proceeded to flee in terror, knowing full well that the scene would now rapidly grow quite dangerous. Evacuation was top priority for everyone, as even the news crew was forced to leave some of their equipment behind.

"Bwahahaha... You all didn't forget about me, did you?" Bowser grinned, the tone of his voice much more serious than before.

"B-Bowser!" Peach cried. Pauline was standing nervously by her side with a hand over her heart, in shock. She had no idea Bowser had lunged toward her from behind. Mario had saved her just in time.

Then, while still in midair, Bowser flicked his tail.

"Ugh!" Mario grunted, blocking the razor quick tail whip coming for his right side with his arms, clenched fists up. His teeth were clenched as he struggled to overcome Bowser.

But he was trapped. While still in midair, Bowser threw a vicious punch, nailing the defenseless Mario and sending him flying to Bowser's left.

CRASH!

Mario had crashed into the drum set on stage at a high speed. He went right through the bass drum head. Bowser landed on the stage quickly after.

"Mario!" Peach cried, Daisy and Pauline featuring expressions of surprise and concern.

"B-Big bro!" Luigi cried, still holding up the unconscious woman with Daisy.

"M-Master Mario!" Toadsworth cried, his anxiety now beyond the maximum.

"Nyeah heh heh!" Kammy Koopa cackled, hovering down to Bowser's side. "Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?"

"We were gonna take these girls here." Bowser reminded, grinning happily while pointing at Peach and Pauline.

"Ehhh? So now we're taking both of them?" Kammy Koopa inquired, blue squiggly lines of confusion above her head. "But didn't you say-"

"Of course we are, you old hag!" Bowser attacked, dumbfounded by her question. "Why on earth wouldn't we be?"

"Oh?" Peach barked, surprised by the sudden commotion.

"Oooh, old hag? How rude! I happen to be only 178 years young!"

"Oh, really? Didn't you say that you were 213 last week?"

Peach and Pauline looked at each other with confusion and unease, blinking silently.

"Oh, so I'm a few years off, big deal."

"You call that a few years?!"

"M-M-Master Luigi!" Toadsworth summoned, trembling with anxiety. "Leave her to Pauline and Daisy. We need you to protect us from Bowser!"

"M-Me?" Luigi nervously acknowledged, looking around. Right now, he was their only hope. His face was filled with determination, but his legs couldn't stop quivering. "Right. I-I understand."

"Wait a minute, who said I was carrying her?" Pauline declined.

Toadsworth grew hot with anger at her blatant disrespect for the well being of the Princess. "I say, how-"

"It is fine." Peach sighed, silencing Toadsworth. "I shall do it."

Peach swapped places with Luigi, Pauline opting to examine her nails instead. Peach, Daisy, Toadsworth, and Pauline proceeded to leave with the unconscious woman. Bowser and Kammy were still arguing, not noticing that the girls were getting away.

"We need to get her out of here." Daisy quietly explained. "WE need to get out of here."

"It is too dangerous to go to the hospital with Bowser still around. I don't believe she requires medical attention, anyway..." Peach spoke with uncertainty, but eventually continued to speak with more conviction. "I think it would be best to bring her back with us to the Castle, to let her rest."

"The castle, you say!" Toadsworth gawked, his jaw dropped. "B-B-But Princess, are you sure that it's wise to bring a stranger from outer space within our castle walls? It is quite foolhardy indeed!"

"I didn't think of that! What if she's a deadly human-eating alien?" Luigi cowered, hands on his face in terror.

"SHE'S NOT A MONSTER!" Daisy scolded, her teeth sharp.

"Well we can't just leave her here, now can we?" Peach reasoned. "Come now. Let us leave at once."

With that, Peach and Daisy proceeded to guide the unconscious woman towards the castle. Pauline had decided to come along to the castle as well.

Toadsworth simply heaved a sigh, apparently out of objections. "Oh dear..."

"-And you really need to learn how to respect your Koopa elders! Why, when I was your age..." Kammy Koopa lectured, Bowser featuring closed eyes and folded arms as he listened begrudgingly. He barked as he realized what was happening.

"H-Hey! They're getting away!" Bowser growled, his eyebrows harsh with anger.

"Crap!" Daisy cursed. "Keep moving!"

"Oh no you don't!" Bowser dismissed, charging towards them.

Then, Luigi slid into view from the right. He looked ready to fight. This caused Bowser to stop in place with surprise. "Huh? You?!"

"That's right, me!" Luigi replied, pointing a thumb to himself. His legs started quaking again. Regrettably, he pounded at them with his fists. "Dammit, don't do that! I'm trying to be cool!"

"BWAH HA HA HA!" Bowser loudly laughed, a happy smile on his face. "You think you can stop me? Oh, now that's rich! Well, come on! Bring it on, baby! Hit me with your best shot!"

"You asked for it!" Luigi smirked, charging at full speed with a fist charged back. "HYAAAAAAH!"

"HA!" Luigi cried, smashing his fist right into Bowser's stomach with all his might. Bowser didn't even flinch, he simply stood there with Luigi's fist against his stomach.

"Ow ow ow ow!" Luigi cried, backing off while whipping his hand in pain.

Luigi noticed he was suddenly smothered in shadow. Still whimpering in pain, he looked up and saw the massive King Koopa standing before him, his face totally black with red eyes.

"Now it's my turn..." Bowser warned, charging a fist.

Mario's silhouette rose from the broken drum set.

"Oh boy." Luigi gulped, sweat dripping down his forehead.

Bowser was about to smash Luigi, but found that his own face had been smashed instead. Mario was in midair, his fist digging deeper into Bowsers squashed cheek. His eyes were concealed in darkness from his famous red cap, his expression serious. The punch was so powerful that it had caused Bowser to lift off of his feet. Mario landed beside his brother, one white gloved hand against the stages red carpet. Bowser was flying, eventually crashing into the back of an abandoned MK News van that was located quite some distance off of the stage. Mario stood tall, adjusting his cap.

"Mario!" Luigi cheered, relieved to see his brother was totally fine.

"Luigi." Mario silenced, keeping his eyes on the crashed van. "You need to go and protect the others."

"Huh?" Luigi barked.

"Kammy Koopa. She's following them." Mario explained, his eyes not breaking sight of the van. "I'll bet my hat she's planning a surprise attack. You need to make sure everyone makes it back to the castle safely."

Mario's tone was serious. It caused Luigi to form a serious expression. He felt a surge of courage. He gave his brother a determined nod. "You can count on me, brother."

"Good." Mario softly smiled, seeming relieved.

"MARIO!"

Peach had suddenly cried out to him. Exclamation marks appeared over Mario and Luigi's heads. "Oh?" Mario and Luigi barked, turning towards her.

Peach was totally fine, Pauline and Daisy holding up the unconscious woman as they all made their way down the cities main street. Also near Peach was Toadsworth, with one hand on his cane, the other behind his back.

"Hyah!" Peach grunted, tossing a white letter that sparkled with magical pink light.

Mario and Luigi watched with wonder as the magical letter soared across the area and into Mario's hands. Mario examined the reverse side and saw that it was sealed with a pink heart sticker. He looked back up at Peach, who was now quite far away.

"I have enclosed a jewel that helps protect you!" Peach called out to him, with her hands by her face. "You must defeat Bowser, Mario! I just know you can do it!"

Mario gave a determined nod back. Peach was smiling. Then, she turned her back to him and continued with the others.

"Well, I'm off." Luigi concluded. "Be careful, okay bro?"

Mario nodded. With that, Luigi ran to catch up with the others, leaving Mario all alone. It was strange. Just a little while ago, the central square was bustling with people who were celebrating a miraculous event. Now, the street lights were shining down on deserted cobblestone. Mario directed his attention back to the van. He could hear noises coming from it. His eyes narrowed with determination.

/

Luigi was walking a few paces ahead of the group. They had no problem reaching Castle Road, which was the dirt path that led to Peach Castle. It had only been a few hours since Luigi had walked this way with Mario, but now it felt as though that was part of a total different day. It was now late into the evening.

"How much more of a walk is it?" Pauline complained. "These heels are really starting to hurt my feet."

"Hey, you're not allowed to complain if you're not gonna help carry!" Daisy hushed. Her forehead bore some sweat from helping carry the unconscious woman with Peach. Peach had opted to endure the ordeal in silence.

"Hmph." Pauline scoffed. "Well, whatever."

"Don't overexert yourself, Princess." Toadsworth advised.

"I am fine." Peach softly assured.

"Sorry, Peach." Luigi sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "I'd take your place, but I need to be ready for anything."

"I understand, Luigi." Peach acknowledged. "You are a most wonderful escort. Thank you."

The group continued to walk up Castle Road in silence for a few moments. Eventually, a familiar cackle could be heard from up above, which caused exclamation marks to appear over everyones heads.

"NYEAH HEH HEH!"

"Kammy!" Luigi cried while looking skyward, getting into a fighting stance. The others stopped in place, facing the incoming Magikoopa with dread and caution.

/

BANG!

The loud sound had caused Mario to flinch. Much to his surprise, the news van had completely blown apart. Its pieces had scattered in multiple directions, Mario diving into the prone position while holding his cap in order to avoid getting hit by the rogue van door. He grit his teeth as he stood back to his feet, directing his attention back to where the van was previously. Standing there was Bowser, who had grown twice in size during his time in the van. Paulines scarlet sunhat was lying peacefully on the cobblestone of central square, right before Bowsers foot. He took a stomp forward, crushing the hat completely as it disappeared beneath his step.

"It's just you and me, Mario." Bowser grinned, clenching a fist. "But you're no match for me now."

Mario had a determined expression as he entered a fighting stance, fists clenched tight. "Let's-a-go."