TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter deals with the 9/11 attacks. Reader discretion is advised.

11 September 2001

MK

Dear Diary,

Today started as an ordinary morning. An ordinary Tuesday morning on the cusp of autumn in the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario and I still had our senses on high alert, because as I've said before, this was one of Koopa's invading days. We were expecting to see his airships on the horizon. We were expecting to see him make some dramatic entrance on the castle grounds to grab Peach. We were expecting the start of another adrenaline-packed journey through eight worlds, culminating in a climactic battle on the bridge. And then Peach would greet us, barefoot and with barely a hair out of place, and then her Toad retainers would take us all back to her castle, and the MK would celebrate and hail Mario as a hero while I graciously smiled on. That was the only disturbance Mario and I were expecting today.

But not this. Not this.

Mario and I woke up at around 6:30a.m and watched some of the early morning news. Fifteen minutes later, Peach invited us to her castle, and we accepted. We knew that she was also anticipating Koopa's "visit". So, we dressed and hopped down the Warp Pipe to Peach's Castle. A group of Toads waited for us there.

We walked inside, where we were greeted by both Peach and Daisy. Breakfast was still being prepared, so we all sat around the TV, sipping mimosas and making small talk. Yoshi showed up about five minutes later, apologized for being late and made himself comfortable. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mario stiffen every time we heard a "thud", as it could be one of Koopa's cannonballs. It was actually coming from the kitchen, but still.

Around 7:15a.m., breakfast was ready. We all sat around a circular table in the banquet hall, watching as plates piled high with sausage, hash browns, French toast and pancakes were brought out and set in front of us. As we dug in, another Toad passed out slips of paper and pens, so we could have omelets cooked to order. The omelets came out at 7:45a.m., nice and piping hot. While we ate, I called Josh, who was welcoming the day's first customers at his gym. I told him that I'd be gone a few days, as I was anticipating a rescue mission, and Josh said not to worry. The cardio area would be waiting for me upon my return. Then, I called Jules, still relaxing in a tropical paradise with Jackie, and chatted with him for a bit.

Breakfast concluded with—what else—cake! A variety of cakes, with tea or milk to wash them down. The cakes were brought out at approximately 8a.m. Shortly thereafter, the remnants of our breakfast were cleared away, and we all sat with our cake and beverages, discussing local happenings.

A quiet, ordinary Tuesday morning, and not a single airship or Koopa Troopa in sight.

"We like quiet," a morning talk show host was saying, "but not TOO quiet…"

Too quiet? I preferred this over the cacophony of Koopa's invasions. There was a light breeze blowing, and distant car horns as people headed to work, but other than that, everything was still. Mario and I still had our guard up, though.

Eventually, Mario, Peach, Daisy and I went to a room away from the TV so we could talk in private. Yoshi went outside for his morning exercise. We heard the Toads bustling about the castle, cleaning up the kitchen. I think some were also preparing for a Koopa visit. I was a bit worried about Daisy's presence, but she assured me that she'd fight off that turtle; she wasn't afraid of him. She was a tomboy through and through.

"I just—have a feeling that something's about to go down," I mused as Daisy rested her head on my shoulder. "Whether it's Koopa or something else—we've got to be ready."

At 8:50a.m., a Yellow Toad burst into the room, looking pale. "Mario—Luigi—I—I think you two need to see this," he said.

"Koopa?" asked Mario.

"No," said the Yellow Toad. "It's much worse!"

The four of us followed the Yellow Toad back into the TV room, and there—we saw it.

The North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York was on fire. Black smoke was pouring out of a ghastly-looking gash in the building. The Twin Towers had been part of our old lives in Brooklyn, the site where Mario asked Pauline to go steady with him at the Windows on the World restaurant, and to see one of them LIKE THAT—I could barely breathe, and I saw the color draining from Mario's face, too.

"Wh-what happened?" I asked.

"They say a plane crashed into it," said the Yellow Toad.

"Plane—crash?" repeated Mario.

The Yellow Toad nodded.

Peach frowned. "That's the most bizarre accident I've ever heard of," she said. "What do you think…?"

"Engine failure?" a Blue Toad suggested. "That's our best bet."

"If there'd been an engine failure, then the pilot would've—should've steered the aircraft away from a populated area," said Daisy.

"Maybe the engine failure was so sudden that the pilot had no time to react," shrugged a Green Toad.

"I think the aircraft flying into New York circle this area a few times before making their final approach," said Peach. "I've been on a flight before, and the planes I've been in always make sure to circle major cities before landing at the airport to prevent something like this. What if this was a pilot error?"

"Pilot error?" the Yellow Toad repeated. "Then that must've been a very incompetent pilot."

"Maybe the pilot was sick," offered another Toad.

"If the pilot was sick, then they wouldn't be flying," said Mario. "I'm sure no airline would allow someone with impaired judgment to sit in the pilot's seat."

"Who would NOT see those towers, anyway?" Daisy spoke up. "There's no haze or fog. The skies are clear. How could it NOT be a pilot error?"

"A seizure, maybe?" I said. "An epilepsy attack? Or maybe the pilot just fell asleep at the controls?"

Muttering.

"Or maybe the plane just lost power," said Daisy.

"Are they sure it was even a plane?" I asked.

"Yeah," said the Yellow Toad. "The station is taking calls from witnesses right now."

Mario suddenly went white. "Pauline," he gasped, fumbling for his cell phone and dialing.

"Josh," I realized, making a beeline for my own cell phone.

Josh answered after three rings. "Luigi, thank God! Did you hear?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said. "A plane crashed into the North Tower. I'm watching it on the news right now. Are you—are you still at the gym?"

"Yeah—and so is Joan. At around a quarter to nine, we heard what sounded like a low-flying jet, and then a boom. We ran outside, and there it was. My first thought was that it's 1993 all over again."

I nodded, remembering how I, along with Mario, Joan and Josh, had indirectly witnessed that year's WTC bombing.

"Joan and I are heading closer to the Towers—we see a heavy police presence and a growing crowd. Everyone's so confused about the nature of this accident."

The TV was still on, and I could hear a reporter describing it as "a needle-in-the-haystack" type of accident.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, are you okay?"

"I think so. I hope everyone up there is rescued soon. Jasmine…"

"She's in her preschool. Joan and I will pick her up at three this afternoon. Thanks for checking up on me; I was just about to call you."

"All right; keep me posted," I said before hanging up.

Mario finished talking to Pauline before also hanging up.

"What did she say?" I asked him.

"She was at work when she and her co-workers heard a 'boom' and felt some shaking," said Mario. "Their first thought was that it was a gas line explosion. Then, someone rushed in and told them that the North Tower was on fire. She and a few others raced outside and saw it. There's paper and debris flying everywhere."

"Stanley…?"

"He's at his extermination business. She called and told him about it."

"Okay," said Peach. "Okay. Let's split into two groups. One group will monitor the situation in New York. The other group will be on the lookout for Koopa's forces. There's a good chance that he'll take advantage of this distraction."

"If there was a plane crash, then will it affect airspace?" asked the Green Toad.

"Maybe, but Koopa's a crafty one. He'll find a way to slip past air security," said Peach. "And you also have his ground forces to consider."

Murmurs.

Yoshi returned from his exercise. "What's going on?" he asked.

"A plane crashed into the WTC," I explained to him. "I'm sure it'll be resolved before midday. In the meantime, you can join the others in watching for invaders. As soon as you see an airship with the Koopa Flag, raise an alarm."

Yoshi nodded and joined a forming group of Toads headed back outside to stand guard.

The rest of us sat there, watching the developing story and speculating over the cause of the mysterious crash.

Just after 9 in the morning, however, the news cameras showed us a plane flying dangerously low over the New York City skyline.

"Hey! Look!" I shouted.

In seconds, everyone's attention was riveted on the plane.

Mario frowned. "What in the Inferno…?" he muttered.

"Where's that plane headed?" Daisy wanted to know.

Peach squinted as she studied the plane. "You guys, I think something's…" Her blue eyes widened. "Oh, holy mother of God…!"

Milliseconds after she uttered those words, time seemed to slow down while simultaneously speeding up so fast as the airplane slammed straight into the South Tower, an orange fireball erupting on impact, a few pieces of debris plummeting downward. Everyone began shouting together at once. My breath caught in my throat, and my heart stood still in my chest. I couldn't believe what I just saw—a plane just flying itself into a building I'd been familiar with since I was a boy. My arms and legs turned lead, my stomach went liquid. I could hear the newscasters struggling to process what had just happened. My power of motion returned in time to see Daisy, both hands clapped over her mouth, and I went to comfort her. Peach, meanwhile, had fallen, half-fainting, into Mario's arms, and he was guiding her toward a chair.

"Oh, [bleep]," she whispered. "Oh, [bleep]."

"I think there might be air traffic control problems," I heard a caller breathlessly say on the TV.

"Oh, sweet Lord," Daisy was saying. "Oh, Luigi—take me in your arms!"

I wrapped her in a protective hug, allowing her head to rest on my chest. "Shh. Shh. It's all right," I said, but I barely believed my own words.

Mario was fanning Peach with his cap. Slowly, the color returned to her face.

"Peachy—are you all right?" he asked, his voice slightly more high-pitched than normal.

"I—don't know. I—what was that?"

"The South Tower's been hit," said Mario.

"The plane," said Peach, remembering. Her face was drawn and ashen, and her voice shook as she added, "I don't think this is an accident anymore."

Silence in the room, save for the TV.

"I—it can't be an accident. The plane just swooped in and flew directly into the building. If it had been in distress, it would've been wobbling or flailing or—something. This—doesn't look like an accident anymore. It doesn't feel like an accident anymore."

More silence.

"Oh, God," Mario said brokenly as the realization hit him.

My cell phone rang, snapping me out of my own trance. My hands trembled as I answered it. "Hello?"

"Luigi!" Josh practically shrieked. "Did you see it? Did you see the plane?"

"Yes—did you?"

"Joan and I saw it fly straight into the building! There was a big fireball and a plume of smoke!" shouted Josh. "Debris is all over the place, there's a shower of paper, and we've just met up with Pauline…" He paused, trying to compose himself.

"Is Joan okay?" I asked.

"She's pretty shaken up," replied Josh.

"So is everyone here," I told him. "Peach almost fainted when she saw the crash. Mario's trying to hold it together, but…" I trailed off. "The castle has been thrown into chaos."

"Luigi—something is happening," said Josh. "A lot of people are saying that this was deliberate. That someone hijacked those planes."

"Hijacked?"

"I'm gonna try to find out more," said Josh. "I think you should, too."

"God help us, Josh," I said before hanging up.

Mario was once again talking with Pauline over the phone.

Daisy was beginning to compose herself. "You really think it's deliberate?" she asked after a while.

"That's what everyone's saying now," I said.

"Who would do something like that? And why?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out," I replied.

Mario walked over. "I just got off the phone with Pauline," he said. "She just witnessed the second plane hit. It's a madhouse where she's at. The streets are teeming with police, people are shouting at each other and taking pictures—it's just a great big mess."

"Josh and Joan saw it, too," I told him. "There's no word yet on whether Julian and Jackie found out, and they didn't say anything about Jasmine."

We all fell silent once again, watching the TV. And it was there that we got confirmation. The two planes that had crashed into the World Trade Center had been hijacked and flown deliberately into the Twin Towers.

America was under attack.

Her poise fully restored, Peach glided over to her telephone, picked it up and dialed a few numbers.

"This is your Princess speaking," she barked into the receiver. "I want you to mobilize all your units right now! This is no [bleep]! The United States has come under assault! Get all of your available units off their [bleeps] and put them on standby! I repeat, all available units! This is no d—n drill!"

Mario and I exchanged a look. Peach RARELY barked or shouted at anyone unless it was a serious emergency. And if she used that kind of language, then something had DEFINTELY gone down.

Next, Peach dialed another number.

"I want every one of your ships patrolling my waters! Nobody gets in or out without authorization! Engage any ship that shows hostility!"

"Princess, what in God's name is going on?" demanded the speaker. "What's happening out there?"

"There are planes falling out of the sky, that's what! Now get those ships out there!"

"As you command." The speaker hung up.

I knew exactly what Peach was doing. She was mobilizing her armed forces, starting with her ground troops and her navy. Her next action was to call the commander of her air corps.

"What are you doing in there, playing chess?! Did you see the news?! Someone attacked the World Trade Center in New York! I need those f—ing birds in the air right now! The second I hang up, rouse all of your pilots and tell them to man their planes! I don't care what b.s. you all had planned—you'll just have to postpone it! This is a national emergency!"

After that, Peach started barking commands at her border patrol, her infantry, her royal reserve and her marine corps. Mario and I just sat there, watching her shout into her phone. Her face had flushed, and flecks of spittle were flying out of her mouth. We hadn't seen this side of her before. Someone drag Koopa over here, and let him see this! He wouldn't be so quick to snatch her then!

The urgency in Peach's usually dulcet voice mobilized us into action.

"We gotta do something," said Mario. "We gotta get over there, save as many people as we can!"

"I'm with you there, Bro!" I shouted.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Time out!" cried Peach. "What is this to you, another frolicking adventure through eight worlds? Whoever's behind this is nothing like Koopa! We're talking about people who'd hijack planes full of innocent people and crash them into buildings full of more innocent people just for [bleeps] and giggles! You're no match for these guys, even with these power-ups!" There was fierceness in her eyes I'd rarely glimpsed until today. Fierceness and worry.

That was when it started to sink in. For the first time since we set foot in the MK, we were faced with something beyond our control. I can't recall an earlier time when we'd felt such helplessness. A possible terrorist attack was unfolding on our TV screens, and there was nothing we could do about it.

A small phalanx of Toad guards entered the room. "You all must come with us," said the head guard. "Quickly!"

"Declare a state of emergency, and advise all residents to stay in their homes!" Peach was shouting orders, even as her guards led her—and the rest of us—to a safe location. "Call every last airport in the Mushroom Kingdom, and tell them to ground all remaining flights! Tell any commercial planes in the air to land in the nearest airfield! And you make d—n sure that every train station, bus station, port, national park, monument—any opening to my borders that you find is shut down within the hour!"

"Everyone's where they need to be, Your Highness," one of her guards said gently. "You've trained us well. You've trained us well."

Peach, Daisy, Mario and I—along with some Toads—were quickly whisked to an undisclosed location with a small TV set. Once we were situated, the gravity of what was happening really hit me. I needed to call Josh back.

"Luigi," he breathed, picking up after the first ring.

"Josh—it's really bad," I said. "We all had to go to a safe location. Peach grounded all outgoing flights and closed her borders, and now her armed forces are on standby."

"The U.S. is shutting down airspace, too, along with national facilities, museums—even Disney World in Orlando. We just got a call from Jamie—all of the schools are sending the kids home early, including Jasmine's preschool, and Janice is gonna pick her up."

"Did they at least try to explain the situation?"

"I don't know. Right now, we're just focused on getting her to Jamie and Janice's house safely."

"Oh, Josh—until now, Mario and I have been able to jump into action, but what's a pair of plumbers against something like this?" I bemoaned.

"Just listen to Peach's instructions, okay? I think that's the only thing you can do at this point," said Josh. Then, he hung up.

Now, Daisy was on the phone, shouting to her own commanders and shutting down Sarasaland's borders. And I sat there, mind whirling, watching the TV coverage with bated breath.

"We are a nation under siege," said one newscaster.

Is this what it feels like to be powerless? I thought.

"Oh, Dio—they got the Pentagon!" Mario shouted.

I whirled toward the TV, and sure enough, flames were dancing about the western side of the Pentagon. "Are you sure it was them?"

Mario nodded. "Witnesses said a plane crashed into it—and there's another plane circling about somewhere!"

"Who are these guys?" I wanted to know. "Why are they doing this?!"

"I…" Mario trailed off and buried his head in his hands as Peach tried to console him.

By 9:45, the United States had declared a no-fly zone and shut down all means of transportation. The MK was in a similar state, Peach having ordered the roads, rails and skies kept clear for first responders and military vehicles. Anti-aircraft weapons were at the ready, and sharpshooters were positioned on the roof of the castle. I almost dared Koopa to try and invade now.

Peach clutched the remote in her hand, flipping through channels and gathering information, along with the rest of us. Josh briefly called me a few times, as did Joan, and Mario made more calls to Pauline and vice versa. Julian and Jackie were still in Barbados, and the next time Josh called me, he reported that they'd been notified of the attacks. They were going to cut short their honeymoon and fly back to New York as soon as the airports were reopened.

At one minute to 10a.m., the South Tower was—gone. In its place was thick, choking smoke. Maybe there'd been another explosion, or maybe—oh. It had collapsed. One half of the majestic Twin Towers had just collapsed. The weakened structure had just—imploded on itself, the smoke extending like tentacles between New York's skyscrapers. Mario let out a strangled noise and once again called Pauline.

"You gotta get out of there, now!" he yelled. "The South Tower…"

He paused as Pauline spoke. His eyes were bulging and turning red, and he was close to hyperventilating. Once he hung up, he rubbed his jaw in distress. "Oh, God—help us," he muttered.

"Is Pauline okay?" I asked him.

"She—saw the S-South Tower go down," sniffled Mario. "She and the others are seeking cover anywhere they can find. Inside of buildings, behind cars—she's trying to help those who are ill or impaired. Good old Pauline." He smiled sadly. "She's trying to stay so strong, given what she's already survived."

"Is there any news on Stanley?" I asked.

"She said—he was notified and that he's trying to get to her. He gave her a few calls several minutes before—it happened."

Silence.

Once again, I phoned Josh.

"Josh—are you okay? Is Joan okay?"

"I—no," I'd never heard Josh sound so broken. "The South Tower went down right in front of us, and we just outran a cascade of debris." He cleared his throat. "Pauline, Joan and I are covered in dust, and we're trying to lead as many to safety as we can. We can barely see or breathe. Okay—there's a sandwich shop up ahead, and we're gonna shelter inside. Janice called and told us that she brought Jas to her and Jamie's place. Poor Jas can't understand what's going on. The tower collapsed during the drive home, and she saw some of it. Janice told me that she's gonna try to get Jackie and Jules on the phone, because Jas needs them right now. I remember the Challenger disaster back in '86, and how Jules witnessed it, but there were only seven casualties that day. Jas may have witnessed hundreds, even thousands, of casualties. God help her. All right, Joan, Pauline and I are now inside the sandwich shop, and outside the window, there's nothing but hazy gray. The word I have for all this is—eerie. Downright macabre."

"Give Jas my love," I said, choking up.

"I will."

We talked a while longer, and then I felt someone tap my shoulder. It was Daisy.

"I gotta go," I told Josh before hanging up.

"There's been a plane crash in Pennsylvania," Daisy said to me. "Near Pittsburgh."

I was at the TV in one leap, and there I saw the remains of what was revealed to be Flight 93, destined for San Francisco from Newark. "Another hijacking?" I asked.

"It could be," said Daisy, "and if so, I don't think this was their target."

"The passengers—must've fought back," I mused, finding a slight shard of hope in this giant mess.

"They saved thousands of more lives," said Daisy, and I could tell by her voice that she was also trying to find some hope.

Mario had grabbed onto Peach's hand, the two of them praying silently.

And so, we all sat there, around that little TV set, watching—praying—hoping.

Some of our prayers weren't answered.

It was nearing 10:30 in the morning when the newscast played a frantic phone call from someone trapped in the still-burning North Tower. The audio was slightly distorted, but the fear and panic in the voice was palpable. I dug my nails into my palms, wishing I could be there, wishing I could pluck that person out of danger. But Peach was right. This wasn't some skirmish with a princess-snatching villain. Something far more sinister was at play, something that gave little regard for human life.

"OH GOD!" screamed the voice, and then all we heard was crashing and roaring as tons of steel and smoke vomited outward, like a pyroclastic flow during a volcanic eruption. Everything just froze as the North Tower descended into a mushroom cloud of smoldering and cascading debris, smashing toward the street below.

"Oh, there it goes, there it goes, there it goes!" shouted one reporter.

"Good Lord," said another. "There are no words."

The air was sucked out of the room as we realized that the Twin Towers were no more. Daisy's pupils were dilated, and she had a hand over her abdomen as she breathed in sobs. Peach was trembling violently. And Mario—Mario stared hugely at the TV before his knees gave out.

"Oh—no," he gasped. "No—no—no—no—NO!"

Daisy's sobs became more hysterical, and Peach let out a scream of anguish.

"Oh, no, no!" Mario screamed, tears pouring down his face. "Oh, no!"

Mario had completely broken down. I think—I know—it was the sight of him breaking that broke me—and when I broke, everyone else in the room broke.

The TV continued to show the wreckage that used to be the Twin Towers, the reporters struggling to maintain their composure and integrity at the ghastly sight. But we'd already dissolved into sobbing messes, pounding our fists and raging at and cursing the heavens for this senseless travesty. I found myself crawling towards Daisy, who threw her arms around me and squeezed me tight, crying into my overalls as my tears dripped into her hair. Mario and Peach were sobbing together, too, and I could see the Toads clutching at each other as they wailed in grief. It had been an ordinary morning, and the Twin Towers had overlooked the city. But now, a vicious, violent act had turned them into a twisted mass of mangled steel.

"America, offer a prayer," intoned one reporter.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

It was 11:30a.m. when the all clear was given. Peach stood at the podium in front of the castle as Mario, Daisy, Yoshi, Toad and I stood behind her, her tear-stained face broadcasted to millions of other Toads in the MK.

"Good people of the Mushroom Kingdom," she began. "Today, we have witnessed a stunning, willful commission of brutality against a peaceful nation. As you know, two passenger jets were hijacked and deliberately flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Another jet was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. We can only assume that this attack resulted in a cataclysmic death toll. I condemn this act of unprovoked aggression against the United States of America, a nation which has become not only our closest ally but also our closest friend. In the aftermath of these attacks, I call upon every Toad watching and listening to stand in solidarity with the American people, to let them know that they are not alone. I also would like to ask my people to gather bottled water, nonperishable food and medical supplies to send to the people of New York City. Also at this time, I have decreed that all charities are to accept all donations; even if all you can donate is a T-shirt, nothing is too little. And now, if you'd all join me for a moment of silence for the victims and their families."

She bowed her head. Mario and I removed our caps and followed suit.

"Thank you. May God bless New York City, and God bless America," she concluded, to quiet applause from her constituents.

Daisy wasted no time setting up a food, clothing and medical supply drive in Sarasaland over the phone. Mario and I raided our cabinets, grabbing up excess uncooked pasta, excess bandages and gently used clothing we no longer needed to put into the donation bins. But it just didn't seem like it was enough.

"There's gotta be more we can do," Mario said to Peach.

Peach nodded. "Yeah," she agreed. "They need blood. With me!"

She escorted us to a blood bank, where we donated a pint of blood each. I barely even acknowledged the needle as it was inserted into my skin, instead keeping my eyes glued to the TV, where President Bush was speaking to a reporter.

"Freedom itself was attacked today by a faceless coward," he was saying, "and freedom will be defended…"

Professional photographers snapped pictures of us donating blood. Peach looked positively regal and dignified, sitting there in her dress as a pint of her blood snaked down a tube and into a waiting bag. Mario slipped his hand into hers, and once the photographers were finished, she pressed his knuckles to her lips and gently kissed them. Then, Daisy arrived to give blood, and I kissed her hand, giving her the strength she needed to help herself—and Sarasaland—recover.

The Mushroom Flag, along with Sarasaland's Flag, flew at half-mast for the rest of the day.

Earlier tonight, Peach led a candlelight vigil for those who'd perished on the three jets, in the Twin Towers, at the Pentagon—and for the heroes aboard Flight 93, who found the courage to stand up to their attackers and prevent other landmarks, like the White House or the Capitol Building, from being targeted. The streets of the MK were aglow in candlelight and teeming with grieving citizens. Toads marched side-by-side with Koopa Troopas, Koopa Paratroopas, Mushroom Defectors, Yoshis and Hammer Bros. Walking next to Peach was none other than Koopa, who'd reached out to us at around 5 that evening to express his condolences and make it clear that he'd never stoop that low. Nice to know that he has lines he won't cross. Both Peach and Koopa said a few words before and after the march, and then we dispersed, silently heading home.

When Mario and I got back from the vigil, Josh called. He was extremely shaken, and he told us that Joan was too upset to talk to anyone. After a long shower and a change of clothes, he'd talked to Julian, Jackie and Jasmine, and they'd been close to inconsolable over the day's events. Wisely, Josh had kept the conversation short to give them the space they needed. Then, he and Joan sat silently together, watching President Bush address a reeling nation from behind the Resolute Desk. I told Josh about the march and about Koopa's pledge of support. Josh was also glad that Koopa didn't take advantage of the situation to spirit Peach off to his castle.

I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight. I close my eyes, and I see images of the Towers in flames before crumbling to their foundation, leaving columns of smoke behind. I remember the specks of people who'd jumped from the Towers, preferring the sweet release of death to being trapped in darkness and unbearable heat as the flooring gave way. I remember the sight of New Yorkers stumbling around, dazed, as the debris cloud blocked out the late summer sun. And I remember the sound of the person trapped in the North Tower, desperately screaming for someone to help, seconds before falling headlong into the arms of Death.

May the Stars forever shine on those who perished on this horrible, horrible day.

Luigi

14 September 2001

Brooklyn, NY

Dear Diary,

Mario, Josh, Joan, Julian, Jackie, Stanley, Pauline and I, along with an incognito Peach, joined the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers at Ground Zero in volunteering for the rescue effort. We were all clad in hard hats, goggles and gloves and flanked by the FDNY in full gear. With her au natural hair, makeup-free face and her simple top, jeans and sneakers, Peach blended right in.

We saw President Bush at the front of the crowd, clad in a tan windbreaker, a bullhorn in one hand and his other arm slung over a firefighter's shoulders. He brought the bullhorn to his lips and began to speak, but since we were so far back, we couldn't catch what he was saying.

I exchanged puzzled looks with my companions. Finally, someone spoke up.

"We can't hear you!" they exclaimed.

"I can hear you!" Bush replied, and this time, his voice was clearer than day. "I can hear you, the rest of the world hears you—and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!"

We all cheered at his words, with my friends and I cheering louder than everyone else. Deep down, we all knew he was right. When the Towers crumbled, so did many memories, but in time, we would stand back up and deliver harsh, swift justice to the perpetrators of this awful attack. We would pull as many people as we could out of the rubble, and we'd come together as one nation under God. I allowed my eyes to sweep over the determined looks on the Merricks' faces before taking in Mario, Pauline and Stanley's quiet resolve and ending on Peach's dignified calm. Bush continued to speak, but at this point, I no longer needed to hear his words. I'd already received the Commander-in-Chief's message.

Everything was going to be okay.

Luigi

18 September 2001

Brooklyn, NY

Dear Diary,

Life has begun to return to a semblance of normal. Today, Mario and I joined the Merricks, the Spellmans, Pauline and Stanley in watching the Yankees take on the White Sox at Comiskey Park.

The stands and the baseball diamond were bursting with positive energy. There was a beautiful pregame ceremony, with a presentation of the nation's colors, the singing of the national anthem, the singing of "God Bless America" and a moment of silence for the fallen. Every branch of New York's law enforcement was there, and the solemn ceremony was capped off by a brief fireworks display.

Then, it was time to play some baseball. And let me tell you, joining a stadium full of New Yorkers in watching America's Favorite Pastime was the best medicine that could ever be administered. It meant that we were still here—still free. Mario and I work Yankees shirts and baseball caps, Pauline wore a white dress with red and blue stripes, Stanley was clad in a white polo shirt with the American Flag on it, and the Merricks and Spellmans were decked out in full patriotic regalia, waving tiny American Flags. We munched on hot dogs, soda and Cracker Jacks, cheering hard for our home team. Matching smiles were on our faces as we drank in every ball, every strike, every Grand Slam, every dash to home plate and every Home Run, from the top of the first to the bottom of the ninth. We began to realize that the Earth would continue to rotate on its axis and orbit the Sun. We wouldn't just sit and mope and cower because some whackjobs knocked down the Twin Towers. We'd mourn the slain, care for the wounded—and begin again.

Every time Koopa lays waste to the MK, Peach and her constituents always rise up from the ashes and rebuild, their kingdom emerging stronger than ever before. After Tatanga attacked Sarasaland, Daisy's steady leadership helped her dominion pick up the pieces. And just like both kingdoms stood firm in the face of adversity and saw its citizens stand together, regardless of race or class, to weather the aftermath—

—so would New York, and so would the United States of America.

Luigi