Chapter Eleven:
Visiting the Princess
Mario and Luigi's journey through the Warp Pipe took the two heroic Italians to the grass land, located on the outskirts of Toad Town, not far from the castle. Mario had traveled through this terrain many times, and some people often called it World 1-1. This time, the Mario Bros weren't here on an epic adventure to save Peach from Bowser, they were here on a trip to visit Peach.
The heroic plumbers ran by the question mark blocks floating in the air and jumped over a couple Warp Pipes, then they leaped over the many gaping holes they'd avoided in the past, and wove their way under a series of bricks near a Warp Pipe.
Without wasting a minute, Mario and Luigi climbed a flight of stairs made of blocks, and leaped onto a flag pole. They rode it down as though they were completing a level, then they headed through the small castle that would lead them on the path to Toad Town. It all felt peaceful, especially in the early hours of the night. No Goombas, no Koopas, just tranquility in the Mushroom Kingdom.
After a short journey, the Mario Bros reached the lively and colorful neighborhood known as Toad Town, full of fungus-shaped houses and many Toads who walked the streets without trouble. And neither of the citizens were worried about the two humans in overalls walking by, heading towards the castle beyond the bright mushroom-themed, Toad-populated village.
Mario and his little brother soon approached the castle gates and stopped to look upon the majestic beauty of Peach's Castle itself. Even after all the Bowser attacks, the place looked amazing, no matter what form it had taken throughout the years.
"Well, we're here." The confident plumber said to Luigi as they got closer.
"Is the princess fully awake like you are?" Luigi asked, Mario could tell he was still a bit tired.
"I'm sure, Luigi." Mario nodded, "Now c'mon, she's waiting for us. We don't have all night to stand around here."
'I hope Bowser doesn't figure out what we're doing.' Luigi thought, watching as Mario approached the castle. The timid little plumber brother followed after his big brother, walking through the front gates and entering the grandiose halls of the Mushroom Kingdom castle full of red carpets, white marble and lovely windows.
A couple guards waved to Mario and stood aside to let him pass by. The plucky plumber walked through the doors ahead, entering the throne room where Princess Peach awaited, with her blue eyes, flowing yellow hair, and sporting her pink gown with a well-polished crown upon her head. And Toadsworth stood by her side, her ever trusty steward.
"Hello, princess." Mario said happily.
"Oh, hey, Mario." Peach waved and smiled, "How nice to see you tonight."
The princess then frowned. "Where is Luigi?" She asked.
Luigi walked into the throne room and everyone saw the tiredness on his face, and in his movements. "I'm here..." The green Italian remarked wearily, "I'm just... sleepy."
He fell over, but Mario caught him and Luigi managed to wake up a little more, yawning just a tiny bit as he did so. Toadsworth came forward, studying the tiredness in the eyes of Mario's little brother.
"Did you actually spend a whole day fixing your kart?" The elderly Toad asked. By now, everyone had heard about what had gone down between Luigi and Waluigi, it wasn't a secret that Waluigi had knocked Luigi off-course with a bomb and wrecked the kart even more with a Waluigi Launcher.
"Yes, I fixed it." Luigi nodded, "...and I'm so damn tired."
"By boogity, you had to work hard to fix your own kart, Luigi." Toadbert remarked.
Mario looked at the princess. "Anyways, I had a good idea." He told Peach.
"And what is that?" The princess became curious.
"Can we tell you while we're drinking coffee?" Luigi asked, still looking tired, "I need it to keep myself awake for a little longer."
"You're right about that." Mario nodded with a smile, "Coffee can block the action of a part of the brain that is associated with sleep and it can help one stay awake for the whole night. I haven't had coffee at night before, but I've done my research and, naturally, I know how that works."
"That's right, Mario." Peach agreed, "That's exactly what we need for Luigi."
Toadsworth began to depart the room. "It's coffee time, folks." The Toad declared.
"After you, boys..." A guard said as he and his associate approached the Mario Bros, gesturing to the dining room.
"That's-a so nice!" Mario cheered.
"Yahoo!" Luigi whooped.
Peach descended from the throne area and Mario held her hand, then they and Luigi left the throne room and entered the dining hall as they picked up the scent of coffee that Toadsworth was in the process of making. It was going to be one interesting night, and nobody knew what else was in store for them...