Phew! I got away from Bowser. *Notices you* Oh! Hello again! Thanks to everybody who reviewed for chapter 1. You rock! Here, have some Yoshi Cookies as thanks. Enjoy chapter two!

Disclaimer: I do not own ANYTHING affiliated with ANYTHING in the Mario series. If I did, then things would be a LOT different. Rights go to Nintendo.

Chapter 2: While You Slept

A pink Toad girl sat up on her bed and yawned, stretching. Then she hopped to the floor to start the day.

Toadette was proud of herself. Last night she had actually gone to bed at a decent time. Usually she stayed up past midnight working on her music, something her brother Toad constantly lectured her about. However, yesterday her muse had worked overtime and Toadette had finished her works before even 8:00. With nothing else to do, she had decided to turn in for the day. She never felt more rested.

"Maybe I should go to bed early more often," Toadette said to herself. She mulled it over for a brief moment and added, "Nah," before getting dressed. She then headed to the kitchen to fix herself breakfast.

Miss Muse must have been on a roll, because Toadette didn't even have to stop and think about what she wanted for breakfast; she already had something in mind. She grabbed a jar of Jammin' Jelly and stuck a slice of bread into the toaster. Then she went to the cupboard, took out a tall glass, and set it on the counter by the coffeemaker. That's when Toadette saw the note Toad had left on the coffee pot. It read:

TOADETTE: DO NOT TOUCH THIS DEVICE!

Toadette couldn't help but roll her eyes and smirk at her brother's antics. Sure, she was energetic, but even she knew the consequences of getting caffeine into her bloodstream. Toad just had to be a typical brother and tease her about it.

Not that I don't do the same thing to him about his quirks, Toadette reminded herself. I wonder if Mario and Luigi do that. I wouldn't hold it against them. The Koopalings probably play "sibling war," too.

Toadette let her mind wander as she poured some Stamina Juice into the glass.

You know, Ludwig von Koopa is musically inclined. I'll bet he stays up late practicing like me.

Toadette giggled. I bet Bowser loves that, if Toad's response to my practices is anything to go by. At least Toad gets to stay at Peach's Castle sometimes when he's on shift. Like this week. But old King Koopa can't get away from the music in his home. Why do they try to get away? We're making masterpieces! Don't they like music? Heh, Ludwig probably feels the same way. I wonder how his symphonies are. Maybe I could see him sometime and we could compare notes. Hee-hee! Bad pun.

Toadette laughed; her train of thought was going a mile a minute, and no one could stop it. It's official; I'm hyper. I guess I'm awake. And I haven't even had breakfast yet!

As if on cue, the bread, now toasted to a golden brown, popped out of the toaster. Toadette pulled it out the rest of the way and set it on a plate. After that she went to work smothering the top side of the bread with Jammin' Jelly.

She took her breakfast to the table. Then she turned on the radio and tuned it in to the Information Station. Toadette listened intently while she munched on her toast.

"… and while information is uncertain, we can still confirm that Dark Land was indeed attacked last night, at around 11:40 pm, Mushroom Time. All communications with denizens of the Dark Land kingdoms have been lost. Whereabouts of the royal family are unknown. Repeat: whereabouts of the royal family are unknown."

Toadette nearly choked on her food. Dark Land was attacked? Last night? Bowser and all those others are missing? Communication is cut off?

"In news that may or may not be related, the cause of the tremendous explosion above Castle Toadstool's courtyard is unknown. The blast occurred around 2:00 am Mushroom Time. With the princess away in the Delfino area discussing a union of the islands, investigators are unable to enter the gate to the castle grounds. The attendant who has posted himself at the gate refuses to, quote, 'allow anyone passage without Princess Peach's consent.' The Toad even barred the entry of the Mario brothers. The mushroom attendant is described to have a white mushroom with red spots. He is wearing brown shoes, white pants, and a blue vest with gold lining."

Red spots? Blue vest? Sounds like Toad. And just like that Toadette left her food and was out the door. Figures something happens the night I decide to go to bed early.

The radio continued.

On a side note, Princess Toadstool is on her way back as we speak, as she, too, has heard of this disaster. But is it tragedy? Or is it triumph? This divisive topic has already sparked a physical altercation at a local greeting card shop in West Toad Town. Reports of the incident —"

*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*

In less than five minutes, Toadette had made it to Toad Town Square. When she saw the gigantic mob of reporters swarming by the princess's gate, her jaw dropped.

"By the Stars!" she blurted.

Recovering from her momentary stupor, Toadette ran over to the horde and tried her hardest to squeeze through, but her efforts were fruitless.

"Um, excuse me!" she said loudly. The crazed reporters didn't seem to hear.

"My brother is in there." Again, no one minded her request.

Now Toadette was getting annoyed. She stuck two fingers in her mouth and let out a long, shrill whistle.

"MOVE IT!" she screeched as she charged the horde. She pushed and shoved mercilessly as if she was participating in a Strikers match. Before she knew it, she was right in front of the gate. Toadette had to throw her arms out in front of her to catch herself so she wouldn't slam face-first into the star on the blue doors.

After getting her bearings, Toadette knocked loudly and rapidly and called out, "Toad! Open up!"

Toad's head peeped up over the edge of the walls. "Toadette? What are you doing here?"

Toadette scowled, "I want in."

It was Toad's turn to frown, "Sorry, but I'm not letting anyone in until Peach comes."

Mario, who was in front of the investigative reporters working on crowd control alongside Luigi, spoke up, "Listen to him, Toadette. He won't even let —"

"Let you guys in. I know. They said it on the radio," Toadette cut him off. Then she turned back to her brother, "Can't you let me in?"

"Nope. None shall pass. Not even my little sister," Toad said bluntly.

Toadette pouted at him, "We're twins."

"I'm still older."

"Only by a minute!"

Toad smirked. "And don't you forget it."

Toadette growled loudly, exasperated.

Toad expression went from smug to apologetic. "Look, I don't know what to do. I'm afraid if I let anyone in, any evidence in here will get ruined."

Luigi spoke up, "Have you looked for any evidence?"

Toad hesitated. "No," he admitted softly.

The three on the ground face-palmed.

Toad frowned. "What if I mess something up, too!? Peach will know what to do. That's why I'm only opening this gate once she's here."

"In that case, you may open the gate now, Toad."

As one, everyone turned around at the new voice. There was Princess Peach, strolling leisurely toward the group. The crowd separated like double doors to let her through as she made her way to the gate.

"Princess! I, um… okay." Toad stammered before he disappeared from view. After a few seconds, the gate's doors opened.

Peach smiled down at him, "Thank you, Toad. And thank you so much for guarding the castle while I was away."

"Oh. It-it's nothing," Toad stammered again, blushing.

Peach turned to the crowd. "I understand that you wish to come in, but right now we need to have professional detectives investigate whatever evidence that lies within the castle grounds. I hope you don't mind waiting out here until then, unless any of you are detectives."

There were a few murmured protests running through the investigators, but otherwise they all agreed to stay put, although some left either unhappy with the result or in a rush to get to another story. Many bowed to show their agreement. After that, Peach invited Mario, Luigi, and Toadette into the courtyard. They didn't hesitate to take the invitation.

After Toad resealed the gate, Luigi addressed the Mushroom Princess, "Peach, Mario and I would like to discuss the attack on Dark Land."

Mario nodded, "Even though Bowser is usually our biggest adversary, he has helped us on numerous occasions. Perhaps it's time for us to find a way to help him."

Peach nodded, too. "I agree. Bowser and his children need us."

"If we didn't help them, then we wouldn't really be heroes," Bucken Berry added as he and Ala Gold exited the castle.

Gold added where his brother left off, "There's also the fact that whoever attacked Bowser might also attack us and other kingdoms. This is why Princess Daisy, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong are unable to be here, since they're busy helping their own people prepare."

Toadette was about to cut in when something shining through a big bush caught her eye. Curiosity getting the better of her, she walked over to see what it was. As she started walking around the shrub, she was able to identify the bright glimmer she noticed as reflecting sunlight. She felt her blood run cold. The sunlight was reflecting off a pair of sunglasses.

A pair of blood-streaked sunglasses.

On a very still and broken body.

Toadette screamed.

And that's chapter two. Do you like? Do you hate? Do you hate that cliffhanger I threw at you? Did you laugh? Did you cry? Did you laugh so hard you cried? Because if you did, then I'm better at this than I thought.

I'm rambling.

Bad news. I'm unable to write as often as I'd like. School and other real life stuff suck. But don't be sad! I'll try to continue on this as soon as possible. Bear with me, please.

And don't forget: Read and Review
Oh, and warn me if you see Bowser or any of the Koopalings. They are NOT happy with what I'm writing. :)