Disclaimer: I don't own Mario.

"Here-a we goooooooooo!"

"Yoshiiiiiiii!"

Mario clutched onto Yoshi's back as they set off. The Italian plumber and his reptilian sidekick left their house behind as they prepared to leave behind the colourful landscape of Mushroom Kingdom. They were beginning to make the long, treacherous journey all the way to Bowser's Castle.

A fierce, determined frown crossed Mario's moustached face. He was thinking of how Peach was being held captive in Bowser's Castle. It was his sworn duty to rescue the princess who'd been kidnapped by the evil Koopa King. He knew the journey ahead would be tough. There would be many perils and threats to face on his mission to save Peach.

Mario firmed his hold on Yoshi's back and narrowed his eyes. It didn't matter how many Koopas, Goombas, Shy Guys, Boos, Piranha Plants and Chain Chomps he was going to encounter on his journey. He wasn't going to let a single one of him prevent him from Bowser's Castle. There was no way he would let anything get in his way of defeating his enemy and saving his princess. Nothing would stop him from rescuing Peach. Nothing, nothing, nothing whatsoever...

"MAMMA MIA!" Mario suddenly cried. "STOP, YOSHI!"

Yoshi halted it once. He turned with a bewildered look to find his owner jumping down from his back. He could see that Mario's face was filled with alarm. His blue eyes were shining in horror as he pressed his gloved alms to the sides of his hide.

"Yoshi?" inquired Yoshi.

"I a-forgot something!" wailed Mario. "I must-a go back and get it! I can no rescue the princess without it!"

Leaving a puzzled Yoshi behind, Mario darted back towards his house. Fortunately, it stood only a hundred yards away, as they barely taken a few steps into their journey. The plumber disappeared through the front door, slamming it shut behind him as he began to frantically search the house for the item he couldn't leave without.

Yoshi stared towards the house. He was astonished that Mario was putting his mission to rescue Peach on hold for something in particular. He wondered what it was the Italian hero had forgotten which he needed before they could start their journey.

Perhaps it was something that would help him to fight Bowser? Maybe it was a bag of Mushrooms or a stash of Super Stars. Something which Mario clearly needed to take with him if he was going to defeat his enemy and rescue the princess.

"I a-got it!"

Yoshi snapped out of his thoughts open hearing Mario's voice. He peered towards the house to see the front door was open. Mario was standing there, smiling brightly as he held up the item he had almost forgotten to take with them.

"Here-a it is!" he said cheerily. "There's-a no way I can leave without this!"

"Yoshi..."

Yoshi's scaly face scrunched into a frown. He narrowed his eyes when he saw what it was Mario had made a big fuss over nearly forgetting to take with him. He glared towards what the Italian hero had refused to leave behind on their journey to Bowser's Castle.

It was the plumber's bright red cap.

"I can no be seen fighting Bowser and saving the Princess without my hat!"

Failing to notice the irritated look he was getting from his green sidekick, Mario climbed onto Yoshi's back and placed his cap onto his head.

"Okay, I'mma ready now, Yoshi!" he announced. "Let's-a go!"

"Yoshiiiii…"

Yoshi sighed as he headed away from the plumber's house for the second time that day. He made his way through Mushroom Kingdom, rolling his eyes. He couldn't believe Mario had wasted precious minutes to save Peach for the sake of wearing his cap. They could've easily left for their mission without it. It wouldn't have made the slightest difference if he wasn't wearing it while battling Bowser.

Having no cap on his head would've also made Mario slightly lighter to carry on Yoshi's back for their whole journey ahead.

THE END