Foreword

In our last chapter, Bowser sent Hal and Jeff to go steal the Silver Crystal for him. The duo are sent to the Tsukino residence to retrieve the crystal and bring it to Bowser's castle. The mission was successful. With the Silver Crystal now in Bowser's hands, who knows what plans the Koopa King might have in store...

Hal and Jeff (C) araskin500 and pthouse

At Mario's house, Luigi was busy hanging up the laundry, while Mario sat under the tree napping.

Luigi: Aah… This is the life. Nice weather, refreshing blows of wind, and the birds singing beautifully. What do you think, Mario?

Mario yawned and stretched his arms out.

Mario: Yep, and I can see that summer's coming. I think we should take a vacation on Isle Delfino and rest at the beach while watching the sunset.

Mario got up on his feet as he walked over to Luigi.

Luigi: I agree, Mario! We can also ride one of the rollercoasters at the amusement park. And of course, enjoy some delicious seafood.

Mario: Yeah… that would be the perfect summer vacation for the two of us…

Just then, Parakarry swooped down.

Mario: Oh. Good morning, Parakarry! Anything you got for me?

Parakarry: Ah, yes. I received a letter from Her Highness of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach. And I believe it's for you, Mario!

Mario: Thank you very much, Parakarry!

As Parakarry handed the letter over to Mario, he took off and flew away.

Mario: See you later, Parakarry!

Parakarry: Cheerio!

As Parakarry disappeared into the clouds, Mario and Luigi looked at the letter.

Luigi: So, it's from Princess Peach, huh? I wonder what the Princess wants with us.

Mario: This should be interesting.

Mario read the letter as he held it in his hands. The letter says:

"Dear Mario. I'll be waiting for you in the castle. Today, you and I will have a great picnic. Sincerely, Princess "Peach" Toadstool."

Mario: Hmmm, picnic, huh? Sounds like a nice idea to me! OK, Luigi. I'll go wake up Yoshi. He's asleep.

Mario walked into his house and up into his bedroom, where Yoshi was sleeping on his bed. Mario walked up to Yoshi and woke him up by patting him on the head. Yoshi was initially startled as he looked around, and then he saw Mario facing him.

Yoshi: (In Yoshi language) Oh, hi there, Mario! I was sleeping so well…

Mario: Glad to hear that.

Yoshi: (In Yoshi language): Say, if I choose to move from my island to your house, I'm thinking maybe I can rest in your bed or the comfortable green grass.

Mario: Sure, Yoshi. You're free to do anything you want. After all, you're the best friend I've ever had. Anyways, the princess invited me over for a picnic.

Mario and Yoshi headed downstairs and out onto the front porch of the Mario Bros.' house.

Mario: So, are you ready for a trip to Peach's castle?

Yoshi: (In Yoshi language) You bet! I'm kind of hungry!

Luigi: Do I look like I have a choice?

Mario: Okay, paisanos! Let's-a go!

Mario, Luigi and Yoshi walked off to Peach's castle. As soon as they made it, they walked into Princess Peach's throne room.

Mario: Hello, my dear Princess Peach
Princess Peach: *giggle* Hello, Mario! It's so nice to see you today. You too, Luigi and Yoshi.

Princess Peach walked over to Mario and kissed him on the cheek.

Mario: Oh, that feels so good…

Princess Peach: I'm glad you're here. So, are you ready for a picnic?

Mario: You bet I am!

Princess Peach: Okay, Mario! Follow me!

Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Princess Peach headed out to the front of the castle. Mario and Princess Peach were preparing to leave the castle with a picnic basket.

Luigi: Have fun, Mario!

Mario: See you later, Weege!

Shortly after Mario and Princess Peach left, Toadsworth walked up to Luigi.

Toadsworth: Um… beg pardon, Master Luigi, but there's someone here to see you.

Luigi: Really?

Toadsworth: Yes. From what I know, it's Usagi and her friends.

This raised Luigi's curiosity.

Luigi: I wonder what she came to see me for?

Luigi and Yoshi walked out into the castle courtyard, where Usagi and the other Inner Sailor Guardians were waiting for him.

Luigi: Usagi! It's good to see you again!

Usagi: You too, Luigi. Um, where's your brother?

Luigi: Oh, Mario? He's out with Princess Peach on a picnic at the moment. He'll be back soon. Why did you ask?

Usagi then explained everything that happened to Luigi.

Luigi: So you're telling me that your Silver Crystal was stolen?

Usagi: Yes, and from what I saw and knew, the two thieves who stole the crystal happened to be from your universe.

Luigi: Oh. I see… So that's why you came here to see me… Don't worry, Usagi. I'll help you look for the crooks! Right, Yoshi?

Yoshi: (In Yoshi language) Of course!

As Luigi and Yoshi set off to help Usagi and her friends get the crystal back, they're both suddenly stopped by Toadsworth.

Toadsworth: Wait!

Luigi stopped in his tracks and turned to Toadsworth.

Toadsworth: Um… Master Luigi? Would you and the girls like me to help?

Usagi: Of course you can, Toadsworth.

Luigi, Yoshi, Toadsworth and the girls left to search for the Silver Crystal. They looked through the Metro Kingdom, they looked through Mushroom City, and they even tried looking all over the grasslands. After a while, the group stopped searching and met up in Toad Town.

Usagi: Any luck, Luigi?

Luigi: No…

Just then, Minako noticed a strange occurrence in the skies above.

Minako: Hey. What's going on?

This caught Luigi's attention. As Luigi looked around, he saw Bowser's airship fleet high up the skies.

Rei: What the?

Usagi: What are those things?

Toadsworth: Are those… airships?

Luigi and the others watched as the airships flew off.

Minako: I wonder where they're going?

Luigi and Yoshi stared at Minako, and then at each other. By putting the pieces together, Luigi soon realized what was happening.

Luigi: Oh, no!

Minako: What is it, Luigi?!

Luigi: Bowser!

Luigi and Yoshi ran off to warn Mario and Princess Peach about Bowser.

Rei: Luigi! Where do you think you're going?!

Luigi: I have to warn Mario and the princess immediately!

Usagi: Hey! Wait for us!

Usagi and the others followed Luigi and Yoshi.

Meanwhile, Mario and Princess Peach were enjoying their picnic together.

Princess Peach: Mario… There's something I want to tell you…

Mario was curious to know what Princess Peach was going to tell him.

Princess Peach: Just between us… What if our hearts were connected together… if we're together forever… so maybe we could have a great future for the Mushroom Kingdom and-

Mouser: Bombs away!

Mario and Princess Peach looked high up above as they saw a Bob-omb falling right out of the sky as it dropped down on them. Upon impact, the Bob-omb exploded, knocking Mario away from Princess Peach. Luigi, Yoshi and the Inners saw the explosion from far away. The group ran over to see what was happening. As they finally made it to the grass fields, they saw Mario on the ground.

Usagi: Oh my goodness!

Luigi: MARIO!

Luigi, Yoshi and the Inners ran to Mario immediately, and helped him get back on his feet.

Usagi: Are you okay, Mario?

Mario: I-I'm alright…

Makoto: What on earth was that explosion?

Mario: That was an explosion from a Bob-omb…

Usagi: What? But Mario, who threw that Bob-omb at you?

Just then, Minako noticed something high up in the skies.

Minako: Guys! Look!

Everyone else turned to see what Minako saw. A cage fell out of the sky as it landed on Princess Peach, trapping her inside. Mario, Luigi and the Inners were horrified.

Princess Peach: MARIO!

Mario: Oh no! Princess!

Mario and the others watched in shock and horror as Princess Peach was taken by a pair of Paratroopas. Mario ran as quickly as he could towards Princess Peach's cage, determined to get her freed immediately. As he jumped towards the cage and reached out for Princess Peach, a fireball rained down from the sky as it hit Mario. Mario fell down as he nearly hit the ground. Thankfully, Luigi's timing was made perfect as he made a run for Mario and caught him before he could collide.

Luigi: Are you okay, bro?

Mario: I'm okay, Weege. But what's going on?!

Luigi: It's Bowser.

Mario: What?! Bowser?!

The Paratroopas lowered her into one of the airships. Standing atop was Bowser Jr.. Bowser Jr. laughed as Mario turned and stared at the young Dragon Koopa with anger.

Bowser Jr.: Hello there, Mario! It looks like the princess belongs to us now!

This made Mario confused.

Mario: Us? What are you-

Bowser Jr.: Come on out!

Mouser, Tryclyde, Fryguy and Clawgrip walked out onto the deck of Bowser Jr.'s airship. Mario was surprised.

Mouser: Nyehehehehehehe! Don't make me laugh!

Mario: Mouser?!

Mouser: Hello, Mario! It's been a while. Hello, Linguini!

Luigi: It's Luigi!

Usagi: Mario, do you know these guys? Who are they?

Mouser, Tryclyde, Fryguy and Clawgrip reacted in shock to Usagi's question.

Fryguy: WHAT?! YOU DON'T KNOW WHO WE ARE?! WE ARE THE MIGHTY EIGHT-BIT GANG! AND ANY-

Clawgrip interrupted Fryguy.

Clawgrip: At ease, Fryguy, me lad. They've only just met us.

Mario: What are you four doing here?! You're not invited to the picnic!

Bowser: I am so disappointed, Mario. Is that any way to treat royal guests?

Bowser's voice caught Mario's attention. Mario looked around, and then up at Bowser's airship as it flew into view. Bowser made his way to the airship's deck.

Mario: Bowser…

Bowser: Gwahahaha! It seems like the great Hero of the Mushroom Kingdom will finally fall, and the great Koopa King shall rise again!

Mario stared at Bowser with sheer anger, while the Koopa King looked down at him with a malign grin on his face.

TO BE CONTINUED…