Disclaimer: I don't own Mario.

"This is the end of you, Mario!"

"We'll a-see about that, Bowser!"

Mario and Bowser were in the middle of an intense showdown.

Once again, the heroic plumber had journeyed from Mushroom Kingdom all the way to the castle of the evil Koopa. Bowser had been up to no good again with only Mario could put an end to his latest scheme. Determined to foil his enemy's plans, the brave Italian hadn't stopped for anything - or rather, Yoshi hadn't while carrying him every step of the way on his scaly back.

Now the two sworn enemies were face-to-face for the umpteenth time. They were fighting each other with all their strength - as well as their immortal hatred for one another.

"Give it up, Mario!" Bowser roared. "I'm too strong for you!"

"Never!" Mario cried.

With all his loathing for the Italian Plumber burning inside him, Bowser took a deep breath - before blasting a great shower of flames out straight towards his enemy.

That was when Mario leapt up to get out of the flames' way - and grabbed a Super Star that was falling from the air. With the power of invincibility flowing through his power, he came down onto Bowser's head, knocking the last bit of strength out of the giant Koopa King.

With all his energy drained, Bowser groaned and stumbled off his large feet. He crashed down onto the floor, where he lay motionlessly as he fell unconscious.

"Mario number one!"

Mario punched the air in triumph, elated over beating Bowser. There had been no doubt in his mind that he would successfully defeat his enemy. His mission complete, he was free to leave this evil lair and go home. He jumped out of a nearby window, plunging down towards the lava surrounding the castle - before landing on the back of Yoshi. The young reptile was fortunately there to catch the plumber before he landed in the red hot moat to get burn to a crisp.

"Come, Yoshi!" Mario called. "Let's-a go home! Our work here is-a done!"

"Yoshi!"

With Mario clinging onto him, Yoshi headed away from Bowser's palace. He was eager to get the two of them to Mushroom Kingdom as quick as he could - as it was hard work carrying the Italian Plumber on his back.

"Look, Yoshi!" Mario cried. "Lots-a people are waiting for us! Wait 'til they a-hear we completed our mission!"

Yoshi was more pleased to see Mushroom Kingdom than the crowd that had gathered before them. He was tired after hauling his owner all the way to Bowser's castle and back. The young reptile slowed to a stop in front of the waiting people. He collapsed onto his front to the ground, only too happy to get home.

Too excited about the reception he was to receive to think about his scaly sidekick, Mario jumped up front Yoshi's back. He gazed around at the residents of the kingdom who had gathered outside Mushroom Palace. All had their gazes fixed to the plumber. He was certain they were there to welcome him home and congratulate him for completing his mission.

"Ladies, gentlemen and mushrooms," Mario announced, "I am a-happy to inform you that Bowser has been defeated. I managed to take care of that a-wicked Koopa King. Your worries are a-over!"

Mario grinned broadly, gazing around at the crowd, expecting them to all clap and cheer for him.

To his surprise, there was silence. Not one person in the crowd was putting their hands together for him. They were all staring at him in astonishment. There was no once of joy in the looks they were giving him.

Mario frowned. Why wasn't anyone appalling him for defeating Bowser? That was the least he deserved for beating the enemy of Mushroom Kingdom, didn't he?

At that moment, a figure stepped forward at the front of the crowd - and it was one which Mario had no trouble recognising.

"Mario!" Luigi exclaimed. "Haven't you a-forgotten something?"

"A-forgotten something?" Mario blinked, bewildered at what his younger brother was implying. "I no a-think so, Luigi. I travelled all the way to Bowser's castle, beat him up and returned straight home! I did everything I a-needed to!"

"No you didn't, Mario!" Luigi shook his head. "You've certainly a-forgotten something - or should I say … someone!"

"Someone?" Mario repeated, rubbing his bushy moustache with a puzzled frown. "Who have I a-forgotten?"

"Marioooooooooooooo!" Peach wailed as she screamed at the top of her lungs out through the window of the tower she was trapped in.

"You're all mine, Peach!" Bowser sneered, having regained consciousness after being knocked out by Mario. "That stupid plumber forgot to take you back to Mushroom Kingdom with you! Guess he doesn't really care about you! He left you to stay with me!"

Peach turned away from the window to glare at what Bowser was imply. It didn't sound the slightest bit true to her. She refused to believe that her hero had been already to her captor's castle once, but had forgotten to rescue her.

"You're wrong!" Peach squeaked. "Mario wouldn't do that to me! He would never forget to save me!"

"Mamma Mia!" Mario cried, realising his mistake. "I a-forgot to save the princess!"

Everyone within the crowd before the plumber gasped. They were shocked and horrified that he had forgotten to rescue Peach. The whole reason why he had journeyed to Bowser's castle in the first place was to free the kidnapped princess from the Koopa King's clutches.

"Well what you a-waiting for, Mario?" Toad snapped. "Go back to Bower's castle at a-once and rescue the princess!"

"Go back to Bower's castle?" Mario made a face. "But I a-only just come back from there, Luigi-"

"Now!"

Realising there was no use arguing with the stubborn little mushroom, Mario leapt back onto Yoshi's back. The young dinosaur groaned as he struggled to his feet before beginning to carry his owner away from the mortified crowd. The pair of them made their way hastily through Mushroom Kingdom, preparing to leave it behind to return to the castle they'd already visited once.

"The things I a-have to do for this kingdom…" Mario sighed, irritated at the thought of having to face off against Bowser again. "Let's-a go, Yoshi - and not a word to Peach about me a-forgetting to save her!"

"Yoshi…"

Yoshi narrowed his eyes as as he let out the only word he could. Having to carry his owner on his back all the way to Bowser's castle for a second time, there were plenty of words the annoyed dinosaur felt like saying to his absent-minded owner who had forgotten to save the princess.

THE END