Life is crazy!... That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. For being so patient, you get TWO CHAPTERS for the price of ONE this week! Can I hear a "Yay"?

Old A/N is old.

Disclaimer: I don't think I own them. Let me go check.

Chapter 3: Strong Passion

Any and all conversation was immediately cut off at Toadette's scream. The whole group came rushing to her side without hesitation, with Toad in front.

"Toadette! What's wrong? What hap—?" Toad gasped when he saw what made her scream and was unable to continue.

Everyone else shared Toad's reaction as well as some of their own. Peach brought her hands to her mouth and started crying silently. The Mario Brothers and Toad Brothers were simply in shock.

Luigi found his voice first, but could only manage, "Roy Koopa…"

After a minute of just gaping at the grim sight, Bucken Berry and Ala Gold slowly approached the unconscious Dragon-Koopa to examine him for whatever damage he might have. The pair stopped when they noticed the two shells Roy had clutched — surprisingly tightly — in his arms.

Gold turned to the others, "He's holding Larry Koopa and Bowser Jr.! And none of them look good!"

Peach let out a soft sob. Then she unexpectedly stood and composed herself, though tears were still streaming down her cheeks. The princess strode back toward the gate and went to a device on the wall near the door: the castle's intercom. Peach flipped a switch on the small box to make a town-wide broadcast.

"Emergency medical team to the castle grounds. Repeat: We need any able emergency medical teams to the castle grounds, NOW."

After that, Peach opened the gate. As she stepped out, the horde of reporters waiting outside surged forward, chattering and throwing questions at the princess. Peach raise her gloved hand and the mob immediately halted and silenced.

Peach sniffed and said shakily, "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you all to leave. And, for confidential reasons, I would like your cameras turned off."

There were a few nods and bows, and, turning their cameras off, the crowd dispersed. No one stayed behind; everyone heeded the princess's wishes. After she saw that everyone was truly gone, Peach walked back over to where her friends stood. Peach knelt down beside the royal Koopas and looked at them for a good long while.

Even while unconscious — or worse — Roy Koopa holds onto his brothers, Peach noted, shuddering, The muscles in his arms are flexed. It's almost like he has a subconscious reflex to protect them, to never let go.

Peach placed her hand gently on Roy's bruised forehead, a small smile forming on her lips and tears brimming her eyes once more. No. Not almost. He has the passion of a big brother coursing through his veins. I've seen that drive in Mario. Toad, too. The inerasable instinct to keep a younger sibling from pain. You never really think of Roy having that instinct, but he obviously does. He probably has that same passionate spark in his eyes, too. He looks so vulnerable now with so many injuries.

Peach looked down at the shells of Bowser Jr. and Larry as tears started pouring over again. They're so young. No one at their age should have to go through something like this.

At that thought, Princess Toadstool cradled Roy's head in her lap, and wept.

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

Minutes later, several medical teams arrived. Peach had since stopped sobbing, although the air was still just as heavy. There was a minor commotion when the doctors and medics saw who they were called for, but they quickly recovered from their surprise and when to work. Luckily, a medical team had come in one of their bigger ambulances, and had brought their larger stretchers.

They at first tried to load the three Koopalings on different stretchers, but Roy's grip remained strong on his baby brothers, regardless that he was still unconscious. The medical Toads yielded and hoisted all three young Dragon-Koopas onto the biggest stretcher with the help of the Mario and Toad Brothers. After that, the rest of the ensemble of medical squads climbed back into their vehicles and drove to Toad Town Clinic. Mario and the group rode along, with Ala Gold and Bucken Berry staying back at the castle.

The ride to the hospital was quiet. Peach and Luigi rode in the ambulance that accommodated the Koopas. Peach tried time and again to look at the near-dead princes, but every time had to quickly look away to keep from crying once more. Luigi stayed next to the princess to offer a comforting hand on her shoulder, his eyes reflecting pity for all the royalty in the vehicle. In another ambulance were Mario, Toad, and Toadette. Toad was hugging his younger twin, who had not stopped staring blankly ahead after finding Roy. Mario was looking out the window, but his eyes weren't on the scenery.

Who could have done this? he wondered, eyes narrowing. Who could have attacked all of Dark Land? Why would anyone attack all of Dark Land? I can understand attacking Bowser himself, but his whole kingdom? Ambushing them at night, when they're asleep? How can that be justified? Some of the citizens there are actually good people. Hamma, Bamma, and Flare are from there. Their grandfather worked for the Koopa Troop, too! Did that create a rift our friendship? No. I hold no grudge against them.

Heck, I have no grudge against Bowser! Sure, he's annoying, but the only reason I ever fight him is because he kidnaps Peach and tries to take over the world. And he usually attacks me first, so I'm just defending myself. I always try to end the battle by simply rendering him harmless. Plus, he's always a great addition to our racing and sports competitions. I'd never do… this to him. It's just not right.

"Just not right…" Mario mumbled. He looked up at the clear, blue sky. Bowser, be okay.

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

Minutes later, Roy Koopa, Larry Koopa, and Bowser Jr. were carted into Toad Town Clinic's biggest operating room. The Koopas needed to be laid on separate cots in order to be treated, but Roy's unyielding embrace prevented the doctors from dividing them. One of the nurses retrieved a syringe and approached the stretcher they were on. Mario took notice of this.

"Hold on," he stopped the nurse, "What's that?"

"It's a sedative," she replied, "In order to get the Koopalings apart, we're going to need Roy Koopa's arms relaxed."

Mario was skeptical. Sedation when Roy is already in this condition? Is that really a good idea? But then, what else can we do? He sigh dejectedly, "Okay, fine. But keep a defibrillator or adrenaline or something handy in case anything —"

The nurse smiled softly and gestured toward the machine already next to the stretcher, "Of course." Then she injected Roy with the drug.

The effects were immediate. Roy's arms started to slowly loosen off his brothers' shells. The medical teams then placed the Dragon-Koopas on three different cots and started diagnosing their wounds. Medical procedures had begun.

But Mario couldn't help but think that they had just cut the Koopas' lifeline.

And that's chapter three!

You know the drill. Read, Review, and give me a heads up if you spot any angry Dragon-Koopas seeking to kill me :P

Thanks, you guys are great!