I can scarcely remember if my first emotion when I saw the hall was anger or horror.

It's a complete wreck, everything toppled and broken. Photos of Mario had gotten special treatment, torn to shreds and reeking with some horrid stench. The chandelier is fallen and shattered. The table and chairs are nothing but a pile of splinters. Even the cake is now just a mess of pink icing, staining the red-carpeted floor. It's all a mess, yet oddly enough, the photos of Peach that were kept in there were still on the wall and even appeared to have been polished, as they now sparkle even more than usual. My eyes narrow. Who did this?

After a profound silence, Luigi nudges me gently in the ribs. I look at him as he points with a shaking hand at the left wall. There's something painted on it in large, red letters. I tap Peach and Mario, who are staring at the hall in shock. They turn slowly to see Luigi and me.

"There's something painted on that wall," I whisper.

We approach the wall. The writing is messy, but we can read it. It reads:

Hey idiots,

You may have beaten us this time, but we'll be back! And this time we've got another prize in mind. Mario, we'll rule the kingdom before long-and we'll have your precious princess! And my dad says that I'll have the personal honor of killing the speck of a man you call a brother. You'd better keep your eyes open, because if they close for an instant, it'll be because you're DEAD! Ha ha ha!

~Bowser Jr.

Peach lets out a tiny squeak and begins to cry, no doubt remembering the trauma of being in Bowser's castle. Mario kneels to comfort her, while Luigi and I look at each other. My best friend's eyes hold deep concern, even fear. What he's afraid of, I'm not sure. We can beat Bowser's son easily.
But…another prize in mind? What else could they possibly want? Bowser's in love with Peach. Who else- or what else-could he have in mind?

Peach, while still crying, manages to choke out, "Different this time…" She takes a shaking gasp and says, "Not just me…"

"Peach," I say, "they're just trying to scare you. Nothing worse than another kidnap-" I'm interrupted by another cry, and Peach's body is being racked with shaking sobs. Apparently the word "kidnapping" was a bad idea. But why? Bowser loves Peach. He'd treat her better than most tyrants of his kind.

I don't know how to comfort her, so I walk to the doors. They're scarred and splintery, engraved with a messy portrait of Bowser. I stare at it for a while until I realize that Luigi has followed me. His eyes are bright with anger, fear, and…what was that…maybe a bit of longing? I feel his pain. We all want this madness to stop.

"So…" I murmur, "it's coming back to haunt us, isn't it?"

Luigi turns and stares at the hall.

"No doubt," he says. "All of it. It'll all be on us now."

I look at him. "What do you mean?"

Luigi looks at me. "I'm not even sure. But I've got a bad feeling about this. I feel like it won't turn out well. I…" His voice chokes. "I'm scared, Daisy."

"Aw, we'll be fine. It's Peach's sanity I'm worried about." I blink. "We'll be okay. We'll have you and Mario do all this heroic stuff, you guys kill Bowser again, Peach is safe. It always happens."

Luigi sighs. "You really think I'll be included?"

"Sure!" I give a feeble grin. "We've got the best protectors here in the Mushroom Kingdom." My smile widens. "I love being here."

Luigi grins. "I'm glad you are."

I look up. "Of course! It's the best place to be."

Luigi's face goes cherry-red and he looks down. "Um…right."

I look at the hall's mess again. It'll take a while to get rid of this damage, especially with Bowser on the way. I shrug. We can beat this.

"Well," I say, "let the games begin."

A/N: AUGH! Such a short chapter. Sorry about the wait! It may take me a while to update this. Sorry!

Anyways, did you like this chapter? Please review! Your reviews are what keep me going! I promise it won't take this long to update next time! Love you guys!