A/N: I'm actually enjoying writing this so much that I'm going to try and write a sequel, as well! This story is not near finishing, but I hope you're as excited for a second part as I am! Thank you so much for the reviews and please let me know what you think of this chapter! Kind words always motivate me!

"It's my fault," Mario whispered, his face drooping with guilt. "If I were there, I would have done it."

Mario sat at a small table at his restaurant, trying to hold back his worry as much as possible, but Pauline could easily read it all over his face as he looked at her for any sign of hope.

For the most part, the restaurant was empty. It was too late for the lunch rush, and too early for dinner. Only a few koopas and humans sat spread across the room, and the constant chatter was low and subtle. Thankfully, no one would be able to eavesdrop.

His hands shook as he held the Phantom's note. A bit of anger rested behind his worry, knowing the monster who had taken Peach had once held this paper, but his undying concern for Peach nulled any anger for the time being.

The two had gone out immediately after practice was done, knowing the Phantom would likely listen in on their conversations about Peach and her disappearance if they remained near his walls. As much as they wanted to look for clues as to where she was, they needed to safely discuss it first.

"I think we both know you couldn't have stopped her." Pauline sighed as she sat across to him. "She wanted to go."

Mario stubbornly choked on his words as he tried to convey his feelings. With a huff, he continued.

"Well I could have protected her! Gone with her, yes?" He groaned as he rubbed his temple. He lifted the Phantom's letter, reading it for the hundredth time. He slowly looked up towards Pauline, a frown deep in his face. "Are you sure this is...okay? Will she be okay?"

Mario's voice shook with the need for reassurance, but Pauline looked away, as she was unable to provide any answers. She was just as confused as he was, but was far more composed than her friend.

He was afraid; terrified. He had seen so much in her...so much that he had always been looking for. He didn't want to lose her.

Pauline, on the other hand, was as calm as anyone could be, probably to keep Mario composed. She cared for Peach, but this loss was hurting Mario far more than her.

Pauline shook her head as she answered.

"This whole situation is bizarre...I don't know."

Mario's face fell even further.

"It's funny. I had a dream about the Phantom," he whispered sadly. "I was too...worried to come to practice. I felt ill, almost." He paused for a sip of his drink. "I should have come. I wish I could just-"

Mario's worry-driven self blame was cut off as their food was hastily put before the two. Mario and Pauline jumped as the plates rattled against their tables as the waitress hurried off, nearly making a mess.

"Daisy!" Pauline called with a wave, thankful to see another familiar face to share their conversation with. "Can you come here for a second?"

Daisy's posture stiffened as she paused in place, her arms straight and stuck to her sides. She slowly looked over her shoulder at the two, causing their glances to jump from thankful to...concerned.

After a few deep breaths, she walked over to the group, smiling warmly.

"What's up? Need s'more drinks?" She questioned awkwardly.

Mario and Pauline turned towards each other before turning back towards the waitress. Her face was so animated and happy that it made the two clear their throats before continuing.

"No, not at all," Mario mumbled. "We wanted to know your thoughts on everything."

Daisy snorted.

"Everything? Well, it'll be a long time if we're gonna talk about everything, you know! I sure do-"

Daisy was cut off from Pauline, whose worried stare made the woman shiver in nervousness.

"Daisy, are you feeling okay?" Pauline whispered with concern. "We meant with Peach-"

"Oh! Of course, of course!" Daisy laughed awkwardly. She instantly realized this was not a subject to laugh over, as the two were not smiling, so her face quickly fell flat.

The thickest, most-awkward silence creeped over the group as she looked between the two, nervously waiting for someone to continue talking. As much as Daisy wanted to continue this lovely conversation, she knew this was not her mess to spill.

And she would not let herself get caught in the crossfire.

She bit her tongue with another grin.

"Let me know what happens, alright? Gotta go! Duty calls, you know?" She called out before turning on her heels and rushing through the kitchen doors, not giving either a chance to question her further, let alone take in her odd words.

Mario and Pauline turned back towards each other, silently agreeing on how weird she had been. Well, weirder than usual.

Normally, Daisy's quirkiness had its own charm that nearly everyone came to love. But, as of lately...it was almost worrisome.

Pauline sighed as she leaned on her hand, the other poking her food with her fork. She gently looked up at Mario who now eyed her oddly.

"Poor girl. She never believed the phantom was real, you know? She's probably taking it all in."

Mario's face paled.

"She kept telling Peach that this was all fake and not to worry. I hope she doesn't feel responsible," he whispered. "She couldn't have known."

For as long as they could remember, Daisy had always brushed off the rumours of the Phantom, even when proof showed itself. Mario and Pauline knew he was real, as they worked in his territory, but for outsiders like Daisy, it was much harder for them to understand.

Maybe she would never understand that the phantom was real.

Regardless, everyone felt some sort of blame. Mario could have been there, Pauline could have monitored her, and Daisy could have not pushed away any caution.

The two looked back towards the kitchen, their eyes no longer judging, but filled with worry.

She had to understand this wasn't at all her fault, right?

"It's all my fault!" Daisy muttered to herself in the storage closet of the kitchen. She paced back and forth, fidgeting with her hands. "Not only did Mario lose his little girlfriend, but they lost their production! How did you mess this all up so badly, Daisy?!"

She cringed as she played back their sad and worried demeanor.

The looks on their faces were her fault and it sent a sickening pit to her stomach. The reason she had started helping Bowser was for the sake of helping people! But, now she was hurting people, including her brother-in-law...and who knows if Peach would even turn out okay!

She couldn't even talk to her brother-in-law without crumbling! It was clear that she was no actress, but even if she was, she couldn't pretend the guilt wasn't there forever.

She had messed up, big time.

"How will I ever face them again? I'll see Peach all the time down there! All locked away! And I have to act like I don't know?!" Daisy grunted and groaned in frustration as her pace increased. "This is all a load of-"

"You okay?"

Daisy paused in place with a sigh. She placed her hands on her hips and turned towards the now-opened door, happy to hear one voice she needed to hear.

Luigi stood in the doorway of the closet, looking up at his taller wife. He wore a white apron that was covered with stains and had several cooking utensils shoved in its pocket. Her heart melted the second she saw him, and so did his.

"Fine, fine," Daisy muttered softly. "Just stressed, is all."

Luigi stared at her before shaking his head, realizing he was here for a reason.

"Mario told me to check on you. He was worried...uh, very worried," he sighed with a coy smile. He eyed her, standing alone in the closet. "Now I'm worried."

Daisy frowned, making Luigi's sheepish smile fade. As much as she loved him, she knew he would worry about her regardless if he knew the whole picture. He was better off not worrying.

He worried every morning she left to go to Bowser, unknown to him, of course. He worried when she went shopping, even! He always wanted to keep her safe, and the second she wasn't with him, he worried.

Even now, without knowing about anything going on, he wanted her to be okay.

He loved her.

"You really don't have to-"

"You know that's not true," Luigi loudly interrupted, a bit embarrassed that he cut off his wife. She raised a brow at him, extremely entertained by his sudden authority out of nowhere.

"I always worry about you."

Daisy smirked at his words, knowing how true they were. As much as she knew it was better for him not to worry, she melted at his concern. She was always tough around the edges, having no other option than to care and worry about herself. But, when Luigi did it, it felt...different;

Better.

Daisy couldn't help but smirk at his sweet words, not used to such bold statements from the shy man. Luigi read Daisy's amusement and his embarrassment tripled as she took a step towards him.

She wrapped her arms around him, placing a small kiss on his cheek, lingering for a few seconds before pulling away.

"I'll be fine, you weirdo," she whispered, making Luigi shudder under her grasp. She let him go and grabbed his shoulders, adoring the way he melted from just her touch. "Let's get back to work, alright?"

Even if she wouldn't be okay, she would try for him.

She would make everything right.

A/N: I apologize for this chapter being so short! I had included a part of Peach's section of the story but I wanted to keep all the excitement in its own chapter(s) so I moved it to the next chapter few chapters!