My whole body feels incredibly heavy…Even cold…But what's this warm feeling? It seems to be getting stronger….

"Shelly…..Come on Shelly…"

!

"Wha? …I-is that a voice…?

….Hmm…..S-so…..Warm….."

"Shelly honey…Please….."

!

"A-another voice…..

…..Hmm what's this soothing sensation?

…S-so familiar…. ! Wh-what's that bright light? ….. "

Shelly POV

I feel a weak pulse of warmth rush through my cold, heavy body. I can see a faint light through my eyelids. Involuntarily I felt my body twitch slightly, feeling the pain in my body I felt a weak groan escape my throat. Feeling my eyelids twitching, I suddenly felt something brush against my cheek, instantly the pain in my body seemed to disappear for a brief moment. The light through my eyelids grew brighter as my eyes struggled to open. Strangely the brightness dimmed a bit at the corner of my eyes, as if something was blocking the source of light. Slowly two blurry silhouettes formed, to my confusion they seemed to move as my vision cleared. Suddenly the silhouette to my left turned a light green color, while the silhouette to my right slowly turned into a pink and red shape. I suddenly felt my body jerk as the bright light caused me to wince. Opening my eyes my vision instantly cleared, quickly realizing that my eyes had not been playing tricks on me. I stared disbelieving as two figures stared down at me. For a moment I didn't do anything I simply continued to stare. Without warning I felt what little air I had left in my lungs leave me, a whimper escaping my throat. I couldn't believe it…It was them…

"M-Mom…D-Dad…" I didn't even have a second to register my own words, as my mother's face was instantly pressed up against mine.

"Oh my baby….." I heard my mother sob softly, her hand pulling my head towards hers. I immediately found myself sobbing as well, this couldn't be a dream…I could feel my mother's touch, hear her voice clearly, this was real. As I continued to sob, I felt my mother's hand begin to stroke my head gently. "Shhh, its okay baby…*whimper* We're here….*sniff* We're here…" Mother whispered soothingly, her voice trembling a bit. Upon finishing her sentence, I suddenly heard a weak gasp to my left. Within seconds I felt another face pressed against mine and with it an overwhelming warmth pulsed through my body. Glancing over with my eyes, I saw my father. His cheeks were a bright red, his eyes squeezed tightly shut, I could hear him breathing heavily. Mother began sobbing again, as both she and Father held me even tighter. I knew it was real, but I still couldn't believe it…They had found me…They were really here. I felt tears continue to run down my cheeks, overwhelming happiness completely taking me over. Despite the pain and weakness in my body, finally seeing my parents again, that pain and weakness seemed almost non-existent.

"I love you Mom….I love you Dad…" I choked, instantly rubbing my cheek against my Mother's, before rubbing my other cheek against my Father's. I heard both my parents whimper in response.

"We love you too baby…" Mother whimpered, as she and Father pressed their faces closer to mine. "We love you so much…." She whispered. I suddenly felt a gentle nudge, opening my eyes, I saw that both my parents were staring at me. Without words Father turned towards my ankle, glaring angrily at the shackle.

"I need you to stay still for me Shelly…." He whispered to me, before grabbing the shackle and tugging. I felt my heart sink a bit, they needed the key… Even though my father was physically strong, physical strength wasn't going to unlock a shackle.

"D-Dad you need the…" My sentence was cut short as suddenly a faint light engulfed Father's hands. I stared in amazement as the shackle slowly came apart. I continued to stare, completely dumbfounded as the light slowly disappeared. I felt my mother's cheek brush against mine.

"Let's get you out of here…." She spoke soothingly. At those words panic pulsed through my body.

"What about Ilario, Angela and Azalea!" I choked. While I certainly wanted to get out of this terrible place, I wasn't going to leave without my friends. I suddenly tried to stand, however Mother was quick to stop me. Father gave me a warm smile.

"They're going to be fine Shelly…." He spoke to me softly. "Mario, Peach, Luigi and Daisy are looking for them right now…" I let out a labored sigh, so King Mario, Queen Peach, King Luigi and Queen Daisy had come with Father and Mother too. Both Mother and Father stared at each other before turning to me worryingly.

"But first we need to get some food in your system…." Mother spoke soothingly. At those words I felt my heart stop, my eyes slowly moved over to the bowl of fruit. Father had already picked the bowl up, I caught a glint of anger in his eyes as he stared at the bowl. However his expression turned to a warm smile as he walked over towards Mother and I. Despite my overwhelming hunger, I didn't have enough strength in my body to feed myself. I saw the extreme sadness in my father's eyes. He stared at me, obviously knowing without words what he needed to do. Father placed the apple he had been holding down and instead grabbed a handful of grapes. Taking a few of them, Father leaned forward and put them into my mouth. A weak blissful sigh escaped my throat as the grapes' juices filled my mouth. My heart began to race, my body happy to finally have some form of nourishment after such a long time. After swallowing, Father leaned over again. Despite my body's eagerness to inhale it's nourishment, it was forced to wait…My body too physically weakened to feed myself normally, reduced to being handfed, fed as I had been back as a hatchling. As Father went to place the grapes into my mouth a third time, I winced slightly in pain, as my stomach involuntarily let out a growl. Instantly I saw the light in my father's eyes vanish and instead saw guilt…I felt my heart stop for a moment as I saw a familiar expression looking back at me…The expression I had seen so many times….It was then that I saw my own eyes looking back at me….That expression…The look of failure… I could've swore I saw my father's mouth tremble a bit. Immediately I understood what he was feeling. As he leaned towards me I immediately nuzzled my nose against his. Father froze as if taken aback, however I continued my show of gratitude and affection. I didn't want him to feel what he was feeling, I knew without words that he and Mother had fought through many dangers to find me, he nor Mother deserved to be burdened with this terrible feeling. I kept my eyes closed as a smile crept onto my face, a few moments went by before I suddenly felt the gesture being returned and with it I felt a familiar surge of warmth flow through my body. Opening my eyes I stared back at my father, my eyes also showing the same gratitude and affection. As Father and I stared at each other I felt my mother kiss me gently on the cheek. Without hesitation I immediately nuzzled her back, I had missed her and Father so much. The day Bowser told me that I would no longer receive meals, I had feared that I would never see my parents again…My body cringed a bit at that thought. Father and Mother must have sensed my fear because Mother wrapped her arms around me and rubbed her cheek against mine, while Father wrapped his arms around Mother and hugged the both of us. Feeling both their embraces my fear was immediately eradicated. As my parents hugged me tighter I felt a soothing warmth rush through my body and with it I felt a bit of my strength return. I blinked confused as both my parents released me, my body no longer felt cold, it didn't hurt to move anymore…I was so deep in my befuddlement that I didn't notice as Father placed his hand on my shoulder. My body jerked as I was pulled back into reality. Smiling warmly at me Father picked the bowl off of the floor.

"Lets finish the rest of this bowl Shelly." He spoke softly to me, Mother helped me sit up.

"Then we'll find Ilario, Angela and Azalea and get you back home…" She whispered to me. I felt a soft whimper escape my throat hearing the word home. I nodded, anxious to reunite with my friends and to finally go home.

To my astonishment I was able to finish the remainder of the fruit without anymore problems. As I finished the last fruit I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time….

Contentment…

As finally after such a long time my body had received its adequate nourishment. After placing the bowl down, Father turned to look at my mother, before scooting himself next to me. Both he and Mother each took one of my arms.

"Alright Shelly, here we go…" Father told me gently. Slowly he and Mother gently helped me to my feet, my legs shaking slightly with weakness. Father then gave his attention to my mother, she immediately nodded at him. Mother straightened her posture as Father slowly released my arm. "Shelly we're going to put you on my back alright." Father spoke, nodding at me.

"I-I'll be okay Dad…." I spoke, giving both him and Mother a reassuring nod.

"Are you sure Shelly honey…?" Mother asked, staring at me concerned. I smiled at her.

"Yes Mom." I answered nodding, as my legs stopped shaking. Both my parents stared at me for a moment, both of them obviously concerned. However finally they both nodded.

"Alright Shelly." Father replied, giving me a nod. Slowly the 3 of us walked towards the door, Mother still had my arm over her shoulder, to give me some support in case my legs gave out due to weakness. Father poked his head out the door and looked around cautiously. After a moment or two he turned and nodded at us, signaling that the coast was clear. As we walked I looked around anxiously, Ilario, Angela and Azalea weren't too far away. I couldn't wait to see my friends again.

"Are you doing alright Shelly honey?" Mother asked turning to me.

"I'm okay Mom…" I whispered back to her, somewhat distracted as we came to a familiar hallway. My heart suddenly began to race as I caught sight of the cells. "D-Dad…." I gasped trying to get my father's attention. He immediately stopped and turned to me.

"What's wrong Shelly?" He asked, worry in his tone. I looked ahead at the cells.

"Th-they're right over there….The cells…Th-they're locked in those cells…." I stuttered, my voice weak from anxiety. Both my parents immediately looked ahead. Without another word the 3 of us headed for the cells, my heart racing in anticipation. As we came to the cells my heart immediately stopped.

"W-What!?….."

My mouth hung open in disbelief as all 3 cells were empty. I felt a distressed whimper escape my throat as I stared at the disheartening sight.

"Are you sure these were the cells Shelly honey…." Mother spoke to me, her voice slightly worried.

"Y-yes….I was brought down th-this hall before…" I stopped myself for a moment as the memory of why I was brought down this hall sent chills down my spine. I winced at the bad memory.

"Shelly, baby what's wrong?" Mother's voice sounded, her voice panicked. I didn't respond as I struggled to shake that bad memory out of my mind.

"I…I saw them Mom…..Th-they were here…..I-I know they were…." I choked, tears beginning to sting in my eyes. Fear had taken over me, I know my friends had been in these cells, I saw them with my own eyes! I immediately felt something brush against my cheek.

"O-okay baby….Calm down…We'll find them…." Mother's voice sounded. I opened my eyes and glanced to my right, her face was pressed against mine. Father had even approached us in his worry.

"Shelly….I need you to listen to me…" Father spoke gently. Sniffing a bit I slowly looked my father in the eyes. "We're going to find them…." He told me firmly. "You need to stay strong…." I continued to stare back at him, the tears stinging in my eyes. I wanted to believe his words, but I was afraid…I didn't want to lose my friends. Father took his hand and placed it on my shoulder. "Can you do that for us?" He asked, although the tone of his voice suggested that it wasn't a question, rather he was just reminding me of what he and Mother knew I was capable of. For a moment I didn't respond, fear still plagued me. However, I remembered back on that day, when Ilario, Angela and Azalea had broken me out of that empty state, Kamek attacked them and yet they kept calling out to me…..Desperate to make sure that I was alright… I felt a few tears run down my face as my eyes hardened.

"STOP IT!

LEAVE THEM ALONE!

ILARIO!

ANGELA!

AZALEA!"

I've Gotta Help them I GOTTA!

They'd do the same for ME!"

I blinked, feeling the tears of my anger run down my cheeks.

"They'd do the same for me…."

Sniffing one last time I looked Father directly in the face.

"Yes Dad…" I finally answered him nodding firmly, the fear now gone, instead replaced with determination. My friends were in here somewhere and I needed to be strong for them….

As they had been for me…

Looks like our Pink protagonist managed to pull through for her parents after all! ^.^ Shelly after so long finally gets to see her parents again. I've been looking forward to this chapter for a long time… :') The family is FINALLY together again!

Although it looks like Shelly didn't get the reunion with her friends that she was hoping for…: ( However Shelly doesn't seem ready to give up just yet…. :D

And it looks like the story is FINALLY back to Shelly's POV. Most likely I won't be going back to 3rd person, Shelly will be "narrating" this story from this point on :D

Oh yeah…. :P

WELL WHADDA ya know LESS than 3 months! \(^.^)/ I know its been a little more than a month and I'm gonna be honest that's probably how its going to be from now on…Granted I'll try very hard not to make you all wait more than 2 months, but you most likely won't be seeing anymore 2 week updates from this point on. While Summer is almost upon us, I'm sad to say that Writer's block (plus a little bit of lack of motivation to do anything) has struck…Like I said I'll try not to make you all wait too long, but don't be surprised a month goes by every once in a while. Once again I thank you ALL for your support, I REALLY appreciate it! ^.^ See you all in the next chapter!

Mario related material Property of Nintendo

Story and FC characters (meaning Shelly, Dash, Ilario, Angela, Azalea, Koop, Parry, Surge, Lilli, Phoenix and Karrie) Property of MCGoldYoshi