A/N: Hey, guys! In the previous chapter, Mario and Luigi celebrated their birthday with their friends! Since Super Mario Bros. Wonder just came out, I thought I'd do a one-shot about it. Before starting, I bring you an official news: the new voice actor of Mario and Luigi has been made official: it's Kevin Afghani, and he revealed it himself on X, the current version of Twitter! It was recently discovered that he is the voice actor of the talking flowers in the game, and now we know that he will be the successor to Charles Martinet! I'm wondering who Wario's new voice actor will be in WarioWare: Move It!, but we'll have to wait until November 3rd to find out. Anyway, let's get started!

Chapter 13: The Elephant Fruit and the Wonder Flower

(''Grasslands, All The Way- Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey OST'')

It was a sunny Friday afternoon in the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario and Luigi were out for a walk, with Mario carrying Luigi on his shoulders

''Nice day, isn't it, Mario?'' asked Luigi.

''Yes. Good thing I wasn't busy today. We'll spend the afternoon together.'' replied Mario.

''There's nothing better for me than being with you. You are a cure-all, my dear brother.'' said Luigi, and rested his head on Mario's soft hat.

''Aw, Luigi, you're too kind.'' said Mario, raising a hand to stroke the strands of his brother's brown hair, warmly smiling at him.

They had fun running and jumping around, and at a certain point, they came to a plateau with a peculiar shape, similar to a pipe. Luigi got off Mario's back to take a closer look. ''What a strange place...'' he murmured.

''I don't think we've ever been here.'' Mario said.

Luigi hit a block and saw a power-up he had never seen before. It was a red and white apple, but it didn't look like an ordinary apple, as it had two ears and a trunk like an elephant. ''I wonder if using it will give us another animal costume...'' he said, thoughtfully.

''Do you want to taste it?'' asked Mario.

''I'm not sure about it.'' replied Luigi.

''OK, then I'll try it.'' said the older brother, and ate the apple in one bite. It was tasty and sweet, but it seemed harder than usual, and it felt like he was touching the skin of an elephant. Eating that apple activated its effect, and Mario transformed, but he noticed with shock that the transformation was not like any other. He grew much bigger, lost his shoes, gloves, and hair, and his skin turned gray. Halfway through the transformation, his head was still normal, but this too changed shortly thereafter, with large ears and a much longer nose, a trunk. Despite the transformation, he still had physical features that made him easily distinguishable, retaining his blue eyes, eyebrows, thick black mustache, and his usual clothes, including his hat. He was now Elephant Mario, but it was the first time a power-up had literally turned him into an animal instead of just giving him a costume.(1)

(''Grasslands, All The Way- Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey OST-s'')

When the transformation was over, Luigi looked up and let out a scream of fear. Mario freaked out a bit too, realizing what had happened to him.

''Calm down, Luigi. It's me. It's me.'' said Mario, trying to calm his brother down.

Luigi breathed a sigh of relief. ''Mamma mia... I thought something terrible had happened to you.''

Mario looked at himself in amazement. Being transformed into an anthropomorphic elephant, he was much larger than before, and his brother only went up to his chest. Elephants were strong animals, with their size, trunks, and heavy weight. ''WOWIE ZOWIE!'' he exclaimed, surprised.(2) ''I became an elephant!''

''What are we going to do now?'' asked Luigi.

''I'm going to test my new skills with this power-up! Come on, Lu!'' replied Mario. He immediately discovered that his new trunk was prehensile, and gently lifted Luigi off the ground with it, allowing him to ride him. ''Hold on tight!''

(''Overworld- Super Mario Bros. Wonder OST'')

Mario began to run, and Luigi, sitting on his shoulders, held on tightly to him. The hero in red was surprised to discover that his new size and drastically higher weight than before didn't hinder his mobility as much as he thought. Instead, he could use his added weight to his advantage, and any unfortunate enemies who stood in front of him had no chance.

Even the Chargin' Chucks were forced to surrender after being stepped on once, and a pair of Hammer Bros were shocked when Mario grabbed the hammers they had thrown at him with his trunk and sent them back to the senders.

''Yahoo!'' Mario cheered.

''You're having fun, I see,'' said Luigi.

''Yes! Next time we face Bowser, I want to test this power-up against him!'' replied Mario.

A few minutes later, they decided to rest at a pond. Mario felt his stomach growl. ''Mamma mia, I'm hungry...'' he murmured.

Luigi's stomach also made the same noise. ''I think we'll have to have a snack. I would need to put something in my stomach.''

Mario saw an apple tree nearby, and he picked up two apples with his trunk, but he was not pleased. He struck the trunk of the tree with his trunk, knocking over several apples, which he divided between him Luigi. ''Here, bro. I got you some apples. We'll do half and half.'' he said.

''Thank you, Mario.'' said Luigi, and hugged Mario. Due to Mario's transformation in Elephant Mario, Luigi was now much shorter than him, and since he could only reach up to his chest, he wrapped his arms around his waist.

As he hugged his brother, Luigi felt as if he had rested his head on a soft mattress. Mario, who had not lost his warm smile, returned the hug and stroked Luigi's hair and mustache with his trunk. He bent down to the level of his younger brother, and Luigi gave him a small kiss on him trunk.

Mario's smile widened, and he wanted to have some fun.

''You're so warm... I feel like I could cuddle you for at least an hour while you're in this form'' said Luigi.

''Aw, thanks, Lu. I'm happy to know that you like me even when I'm turned into an elephant.'' Mario said, appreciating the compliment.

''I've always liked you, Mario. No matter what power-ups you use, or what form you've taken, I'll always love you.'' replied Luigi, and emphasized his statement by giving his brother another kiss, this time on the forehead.

''I love you too. Nothing will ever change between us.'' said Mario.

The two brothers ate all the apples they shared, and when they had finished, they were full and satisfied. They dived into the pond, and Mario somehow managed to stay afloat despite his new weight. They played at splashing each other and Mario used his trunk to his advantage to shoot water in his face. Using a nearby rock, Luigi managed to knock Mario into the water in a horizontal position, and he landed on his soft belly.

Laughing, Mario patted his cheeks and moustache with his trunk, and Luigi burst out laughing, seeing that his brother was tickling him. Seeing how he had curled up on his belly, he placed a paw on his back and they rested for a while.

(''Overworld- Super Mario Bros. Wonder OST-s'')

(''Double Cherry Pass- Super Mario 3D World OST'')

Once out of the water, Mario grabbed Luigi with his trunk, careful not to use too much force to avoid hurting him. ''Hey, Luigi, let's do the helicopter!'' he declared.

''Are you sure you can do it, Mario?'' asked Luigi.

''Don't worry, everything will be fine.'' Mario reassured him.

''OK. I'm ready.'' said Luigi, and he clung tightly to Mario's big hands.

Mario began to spin around, slowly gaining speed every few laps. He threw it in the air once and caught it, and after another ten laps he did it again.

''Weeeeeee!'' exclaimed Mario, imitating the sound of an airplane, and launched Luigi into the air for the third time at a slightly higher distance.

''Do it again, Mario! Higher!'' cried Luigi, getting more and more excited, and Mario did it willingly, throwing him higher and higher.

''Again!''

''Higher, higher!''

Mario spun even faster than before, and although he began to worry about Luigi, he continued to throw him high at his request.

''Do you want me to throw you into the air one more time?'' he asked, raising his voice so Luigi could hear him loud and clear.

''Yes! Throw me high fora final time! Throw me with all your might!''

Mario threw him for the last time, and it took several seconds for his younger brother to return to the ground. Fortunately, he landed unharmed in Mario's arms. They had had a lot of fun with this new transformation, and they laughed loudly.

''That was fun!'' shouted Mario joyfully.

''You can say that again! I was kinda worried about your new transformation at first, but I knew I could always trust you.'' said Luigi. Mario gave him a brotherly kiss on the cheek in response.

Mario hit a block, and another Elephant Fruit came out of it. ''Hey, Luigi! You try eating the Elephant Fruit now!'' he said.

Luigi ate the Elephant Fruit, and as a result, he also turned into Elephant Luigi. ''Wowie zowie!'' he exclaimed. Like Mario, even though he was transformed into an elephant, he still kept his mustache, eyes, eyebrows, and clothes, except for his shoes and gloves. ''Wait until our friends find out!''

''Yes, this would be a crazy to tell!'' said Mario. ''Come here, give me a nice elephant hug!''

The brother in green was swift, and Mario and Luigi hugged each other tightly, caressing each other's faces with their respective trunks. They decided to go home and tell Princess Peach about their adventure. Mario was initially a bit hesitant as he was worried about what Peach would think of seeing him as an anthropomorphic elephant, but after Luigi reassured him that she would understand, he agreed to see her.

(''Double Cherry Pass- Super Mario 3D World OST-s'')

As Mario and Luigi returned home, they noticed a strange blue flower levitating in the air, and when they picked it up, unusual things began to happen.

(''Wonder Effect- Super Mario Bros. Wonder OST'')

Some pipes came to life, crawling like worms, and the legs of some enemies stretched drastically.(3)

''Now I've seen them all!'' said Luigi, trying to avoid these assaults. The Mushroom Kingdom had always been a wacky world, but it seemed that with every adventure there were always strange things to discover.

''I don't know what else could happen! Be careful!'' said Mario, a little worried.

They ran quickly across the plateau towards the plains, but at one point, a Chargin' Chuck with very long legs due to the effects of the flower from before took Luigi by surprise and dropkicked him in the back, causing him to fall down the hill. After falling downstream, Luigi landed face-first, and the impact was so strong that he lost the power-up and returned to normal.

(''Double Cherry Pass- Super Mario 3D World OST-s'')

Mario grabbed Luigi from behind and helped him to break free, then put him back on his feet. ''Oh, no! Lu, are you okay?'' he asked, worried.

''I'm okay... But my head hurts and my back is killing me me... That kick hurt my kidneys so badly...'' Luigi moaned, struggling to stay on his feet. ''Would you take me home?'' he asked.

''Of course you can, Luigi!'' replied Mario, and lifted his brother up so that he could climb on his shoulders.

Half an hour later...

(''Princess Peach's Castle- Super Mario Odyssey OST'')

After half an hour' of walking, Mario and Luigi returned to Toad Town in the late afternoon, and went to Peach's castle to visit her.

Peach was surprised when she saw that Mario was an anthropomorphic elephant and not in human form. ''Mario! I didn't expect to see you like this!'' he said.

Mario put his hands behind his back in embarrassment.

''He ate an apple shaped an elephant.'' Luigi explained, coming down Mario's back. ''I ate one myself, but then I got hit in the back and lost the effect.''

''I know, I look completely ridiculous.'' Mario murmured.

''Don't say that, Mario. You're very cute when you're an elephant,'' Peach said. ''Do you want me to prove it to you? Come here.''

The beautiful princess kissed Mario on the cheek, and this made him all red in the face while Luigi watched with pleasure.

''So, you said you ate an apple in the shape of an elephant?'' asked Peach.

''Yes.'' said Mario and Luigi in unison.

''That's an Elephant Fruit. It's not a very common power-up in the Mushroom Kingdom.'' Peach explained.

''Now that I think about it, we were on an oddly-shaped plateau during our walk. It doesn't look like a typical Mushroom Kingdom environment to me.'' said Luigi, deep in thought.

''According to what you have told me, you have reached the border with the Flower Kingdom. The Flower Kingdom is ruled by a friend of mine. Prince Florian.'' said Peach.(4)

''A human?'' Mario asked, with a slight jealousy in his tone.

''No, he's not a human. He's a small green caterpillar, so it's easy to recognize him We often keep in touch, and his castle is in Pipe-Rock Plateau. If you have seen a pipe-shaped plateau, then you have passed through here.'' replied the princess.

''We also found a strange flower on the way home. When we got it, it all looked so different, with enemies with stretched legs, moving pipes, and other weird things.'' added Mario.

''That's a Wonder Flower. Wonder Flowers are common in the Flower Kingdom, and they grow by absorbing the energy of the earth, taking on a different color depending on the environment in which they bloom. Taking one transforms the environment or the people in the surrounding environment, but the effect ends over time or by finding a Wonder Seed.'' Peach explained.

''The Kingdom of Flowers, huh? Daisy is sure to love this place!'' Luigi exclaimed. He couldn't wait to reveal the existence of the Flower Kingdom to Daisy.

''I agree. While you and Mario were having your stroll, Prince Florian invited us to meet him at his castle tomorrow morning. I'll let our friends know. Yoshi, Blue Toad, Yellow Toad, Toadette, Daisy, even Nabbit, they'll all come with us.'' Peach said.(5)

It looked really exciting. Visiting a new kingdom and making new friends? There was no reason to say no.

''Fantastico! I can't wait to meet him!'' said Mario enthusiastically.

''That sounds interesting,'' Luigi added.

''I knew you would accept. Prince Florian would be very happy,'' said Peach with a smile.

''Alright, write to him that we're coming. We'll all meet with the prince in the Flower Kingdom.'' said Mario. ''We'll go home now. The sun is starting to set.''

''OK. See you tomorrow, Mario. See you tomorrow, Luigi.'' said Peach, and gave both Mario and Luigi a kiss on the nose, and the former blushed like mad.

''See you tomorrow!'' said Mario and Luigi at the same time, bowing in front of her, despite the fact that it was difficult for Mario because of his elephant form. After saying goodbye to her, they went home.

(''Princess Peach's Castle- Super Mario Odyssey OST-s'')

(''Mario's House- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions OST'')

When they returned home, Mario returned to his human form, as the time for his transformation into an elephant was over.

''What an adventure, eh?'' said Mario, lying on his bed.

''Yeah. It was crazy.'' replied Luigi. Soon after, Mario gasped in concern, suddenly getting back to his feet. ''What's the matter?'' he asked.

''You've got a bruise here!'' replied Mario, pointing to a small bruise on Luigi's forehead.

''I'm fine, Mario. I'll heal. It's my back that hurts. My kidneys are killing me.'' said Luigi.

''I'll take care of it.'' Mario said.

Luigi lay down on the bed in a prone position, and Mario began to massage his back and take care of him, which relaxed him. After a series of massages, he felt better and got back up, and his bruise was fading. ''Thanks, Mario.'' he said.

''You're welcome.''

''Who knows what else we're going to discover, since we've been exploring places all over the universe.''

''I wonder about it too.''

Luigi gave Mario a hug. ''We will face every challenge together, no matter what. Stay by my side.'' he said, and Mario nodded.

''I love you so much, Luigi.'' said Mario, returning the hug.

''I love you so much too, Mario.'' said Luigi, resting his head on his brother's shoulder and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

''Are you worried that Daisy will come with us?'' asked Mario.

''I'm worried about Daisy, but I know her well. She's a tough girl, and if Bowser is going to do something, she should be able to stand up to him,'' replied the plumber in green, not hiding his concern for Daisy.

''Yeah. You're right. I was thinking about Peach, too. She's stronger than she looks, but I can't help but worry about her.'' said Mario, who was also a little worried.

''As long as we're with her, she'll be fine.'' Luigi reassured him.

''You know, I didn't expect to turn into an anthropomorphic elephant.'' Mario said. ''It's so different than usual.''

''I know, it's very strange. I even freaked out the first time I saw you transformed,'' Luigi admitted. ''But it reminds me of those animal costumes, and you know? You're really cute like this.''

''Do you really think I'm cute when I'm transformed?'' asked Mario, surprised.

''Yeah! I could snuggle with you for hours when you're turned into an elephant or have a cat or tanooki costume, and Peach finds you so cute. She would cover your face in kisses.'' Luigi replied sincerely.

Mario was moved. ''Awwwww, thank you, Luigi!'' he said, giving his younger brother an affectionate kiss on the forehead and hugging him tightly. ''You're so sweet, bro!''

''You too, big bro!'' said Luigi.

As he returned the hug, Luigi felt his brother's hand stroking his back, giving even more relief to his kidneys.

''Another adventure, another place to explore!'' Mario declared.

''You can say that again!'' agreed Luigi. ''Tomorrow, we're going to a new place, and all our friends will be able to have that experience.''

As they lay down and snuggled on Mario's bed, the two brothers were excited for the future adventure that awaited them. A new adventure meant a new place to visit and new friends to meet. That was Mario's thinking.

(''Mario's House- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions OST-s'')

A/N: Charles Martinet has passed the torch to Kevin Afghani for the roles of Mario and Luigi, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder will mark a new era for Mario! The game was also released exactly one year after Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, the very last non-remake game in which Charles voiced Mario! The interesting thing is that according to Miyamoto's statements, Mario and Luigi are about 24 to 26 years old, and Kevin Afghani is 26 years old, so he is the same age as them! Interesting, huh? His birthday is November 9th, just one day after mine! Good luck, Kevin! I also noticed that Kazumi Totaka, Yoshi's voice actor, and Deanna Mustard, Daisy's voice actress, were not credited among the voice actors in the credits, so who will be their successors? In Daisy's case, many think that Deanna Mustard's successor is Giselle Fernandez, but it's not confirmed now. What do you think of this story related to the game that just came out? Let me know! See you soon!

(1): Several power-ups in the series give Mario and Luigi animal characteristics, such as the Super Bell, which turns Mario into Cat Mario, or the Super Leaf, which transforms them into Tanooki Mario and Kitsune Luigi or Raccoon Mario and Fox Luigi, but all of these power-ups only give them an animal costume that also includes ears and tail. With the introduction of the Elephant Fruit in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, this makes it the first power-up that turns the character into an anthropomorphic animal rather than just giving them a costume.

(2): Whenever a character gets an Elephant Fruit, they will always say this.

(3): Wonder Flowers are an important feature in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Getting one will trigger a Wonder Effect, which alters the level's environment or the characters.

(4): The Flower Kingdom is the setting for the events of Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

(5): Super Mario Bros. Wonder has twelve playable characters, including four Yoshis: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yellow Toad, Blue Toad, Toadette, Yoshi, Nabbit, and the Red, Yellow, and Light Blue Yoshis. Yoshi and Daisy appeared as playable in Super Mario Run, and in this game, Daisy returns in a main game in the series after Super Mario Land, her debut game, which came out over thirty years ago. In addition to being rideable by other players, Yoshi functions the same way as Nabbit in New Super Luigi U and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe: he can't use power-ups, but he doesn't take damage from enemies or other obstacles, only being pushed back slightly if he gets hit, and he only dies if he falls into a bottomless pit, poison or lava.