Whadda ya know I managed to update in less than a month! Well I won't keep you all waiting Chapter 40 COMMENCE!

"…..

…..

…..

I don't understand…..

Was coming here a mistake?

Did I put Birdo in danger…..

All for nothing?"

Yoshi trudged down the long path back towards the exit, deep in thought. The path seemed to go on forever, all he wanted was to get out of this horrid place. They had spent all this time fighting a battle against a grudge holding enemy, all that time and effort just to find that nothing had come out of it. Yoshi squeezed his eyes shut, they were running on their 3rd week since Shelly had disappeared and this pointless battle had only wasted precious time finding her. Yoshi knew of Bowser's extreme hatred towards him. Knowing Bowser, Yoshi could only fear what could be happening to Shelly by now. Shivering Yoshi felt an even greater fear pulse down his spine.

"Kamek…"

Yoshi felt his body involuntarily jerk at the thought of Kamek's name. If everyone thought Bowser hated him…..They had no IDEA how much Kamek despised him. Kamek would enjoy every opportunity he could find to make Yoshi suffer and Bowser would undoubtedly give him that opportunity.

"Was this REALLY all for nothing….

Did we make a…Mistake coming here?

….

NO!

The clue OBVIOUSLY told us to come here!

There HAS to be something more to this ….

…

There HAS TO BE!"

Yoshi was thrown from his thoughts as he suddenly felt something catch his left foot.

"Are you alright Yoshi?" Yoshi quickly looked up, Birdo was rushing over to where he now sat on the ground. Yoshi rubbed his left foot sheepishly.

"I'm fine Birdo….." He whispered slightly embarrassed, glancing to see what he had tripped over. It was the lone tree branch that they had seen when they had first entered the forest. Yoshi was taken aback as the branch now glowed with an even brighter tint than it had when he had first noticed it. Without even thinking Yoshi quickly looked up, catching sight of the broken stub which also held a familiar glow. Glancing at the tree branch again Yoshi felt his heart begin to race. Standing up Yoshi walked up to the tree until he was directly under the glowing stub.

"I've gotta get up there…."

Yoshi readied himself for a jump when Birdo suddenly took his arm.

"Yoshi what are you doing?" She asked him, her voice held worry.

"Yeah Yoshi….You already saw what happened to Mario and I when we tried to climb that tree….Do you really want the same result?" Luigi's voice sounded.

"Especially after what Wiggler did to….." Birdo's voice suddenly trailed off as both she and Yoshi turned towards the front of the tree. "Wha….What happened to the indent?" Birdo asked completely dumbfounded. The group of 6 stared at the tree completely shocked to see that the massive damage Wiggler had done to the tree not even half an hour ago was nowhere to be seen. "I swear….This was the tree she rammed into…." Birdo whispered touching the tree's trunk curiously. As the group discussed the anomaly, a small smirk appeared on Yoshi's face as he shook his head. Besides the tree branches Luigi and Mario had broke, there was no hint of damage anywhere in the forest, despite the heated battle they had just fought. Yoshi knew with certainty what had just transpired, just like with Tatanga and King Boo…Giving a mischievous glare at the sky Yoshi immediately looked back up at the tree stub. Without hesitation Yoshi leapt and grabbed the nearest tree branch pulling himself up into the tree, just as he suspected the branch he stood on didn't break. Looking up Yoshi saw the glowing tree stub right above his head, glancing at the glowing broken tree branch one last time Yoshi reached out and touched the glowing tree stub. Yoshi nearly fell out of the tree as a bright light blinded him. Surprised exclamations from his friends came from below him. Finally the light faded and Yoshi uncovered his eyes. Yoshi gulped followed by a gasp as a familiar sight glowed right in front of him, from inside the tree.

"We've found it Shelly….."

Yoshi felt tears begin to form in his eyes as he stared at his anticipated prize.

"Yoshi! Are you alright?" Yoshi smiled as he glanced down to see Birdo. Without a word Yoshi simply put his hands into the hollow opening of the tree. Birdo and the 4 remaining friends suddenly gasped as Yoshi came back into view holding a welcoming sight.

"The Star…" Birdo whispered, her eyes beginning to tear up. Yoshi smiled warmly at Birdo before the Star's glow disappeared, it's power absorbed into him. With one final smile Yoshi climb down the tree and was immediately embraced by Birdo. "We…..We're almost there….." She whimpered as she buried her face into her husband's chest. Yoshi held Birdo tighter.

"Almost there….." He whispered back. Yoshi suddenly felt a hand to his shoulder.

"You see buddy….Your hard work wasn't for nothin'!" Mario smiled nodding at Yoshi.

"Thanks Mario…" Yoshi whispered smiling warmly at his friend, before looking up seeing his other 3 friends smiling at him.

"Looks like your job here is done Yosh…" Luigi spoke nodding, receiving a nod from all 5 remaining friends. Yoshi turned to his wife.

"Let's get outta here dear…" He whispered gently taking her hand. Birdo sniffed and quickly nodded wiping her eyes. The group of 6 turned and headed for the welcoming exit that awaited them…..Or it would have awaited them if a large translucent wall hadn't been blocking it. Yoshi and the remaining 5 friends stared their mouths agape.

"What…..?"

Yoshi stared at the wall dumbfounded, they had finally accomplished their goal in this place and NOW a wall was blocking their only way out of it.

"What now!" Luigi groaned in annoyance as he also noticed Yoshi's disheartened look.

"Yoshi obviously beat Wiggler…..What is up with this?" Daisy's voice sounded it also holding a bit of annoyance. Peach turned to Mario as if expecting him to voice his thoughts however he remained silent.

"Hasn't he been wounded enough…?"

Despite his silence Mario too shared his friends' annoyance. First his daughter had been kidnapped, he was forced to go weeks unable to do anything while having to watch his wife suffer, the one place that had caused him the most trauma just had to be the place he was destined to go….His wife almost getting killed in the process…..ONLY to be hit with disappointment….And NOW this….Hadn't Yoshi's emotions been messed with enough? Mario shook his head in frustration, before looking up at the wall. While it was translucent the wall seemed to have a eerie glow to it, a glow that he had seen many times before.

"Could it be…..?"

Mario turned to his friends before looking back at the wall again.

"Let's go through it…." Mario said aloud. Yoshi, Luigi, Daisy and Peach turned to him confused.

"What? It's a wall Bro….We've seen plenty of those lately and they've all resulted the same way…" Luigi responded first looking troubled at his brother's suggestion.

"I agree with Mario…"

Yoshi and the others jumped surprised as Birdo's voice sounded. While she had been silent this whole time, she too felt there was something important about this wall. A strong urgency and curiosity plagued her mind, she couldn't explain why but she felt an intense yearning to find out what secrets this wall held. Without another word Birdo made her way towards the wall, when suddenly a hand grabbed her arm. Turning her head, Birdo's eyes met the terrified eyes of her husband's.

"Birdo…." Yoshi gasped his voice held fear, he looked as if he wanted to say more but remained silent. Birdo gave him a reassuring smile.

"I think Mario is right Yoshi….We'll never know until we go for it…." She whispered glancing over at the radiating wall. Yoshi stared at Birdo silent for a moment, he too glanced at the wall. He finally turned back to his wife, a determined look on his face.

"We'll go together…" He whispered taking Birdo's hand, Birdo smiled lovingly.

"Together." She responded nodding, she and Yoshi walking towards the wall. At first Luigi, Peach and Daisy stared nervously as Yoshi and Birdo headed for the wall. Mario turned and looked at the remaining 3 before giving them a reassuring nod and following after Yoshi and Birdo. Luigi gulped while Daisy and Peach simply turned to each other. Finally the remaining 3 followed suit. Yoshi and Birdo were mere inches from the wall when Yoshi came to a halt, Birdo followed suit.

"Here we go…."

Squeezing his wife's hand Yoshi and Birdo took a step and disappeared. Mario and the others followed immediately after. All but 2 of the group were taken aback by the sight that confronted them. A large castle loomed right in front of them, a castle only Mario and one other recognized.

"Nimbus Castle…."

Both Mario and Birdo's voices sounded. Yoshi turned to his wife startled.

"You know this place Birdo?" He asked confused. Birdo turned to him, her face a bit solemn.

"Yes Dear…..I do…" She whispered nodding, before looking back at the castle longingly.

C'mon guys you REALLY didn't think I was gonna do that to Yoshi did ya? Yep looks like that battle against Wiggler wasn't a complete waste after all! :) (Oh yeah...I purposely had Luigi call Yoshi "Yosh" XD Yeah "Buddy" isn't Yoshi's ONLY "nickname" XD). Now I've got some good news…And some bad news…. I'll start with the GOOD news! It seems that FINALLY after a LONG time of frustration I've FINALLY got the creative juices flowing again! TAKE THAT WRITER'S BLOCK! The only problem…That may stand in the way is school…I think the process for writing the chapters will be a lot smoother from now on, getting them written and posted will most likely depend on how busy school makes me…Well I hope you ALL enjoyed the chapter! :D What awaits Yoshi and his Friends? We'll see in the NEXT chapter! OH YEAH, HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! *Evil laugh* XD

Mario related Material Property of Nintendo

Story and OC Characters (meaning Shelly, Dash, Ilario, Angela, Azalea, Koop, Parry, Surge, Lilli, Karrie and Phoenix) Property of MCGoldYoshi (aka ME! ^.^ )