Chapter Five.
As Mario, Theodore and the Star toads talk about their options. Starry walked up to statue Rayner and touched one of his fingers and just like before a light shined between her finger and his, Which, got the attention of the others. "Hey something is happening!" one of the Star toads cried, as Rayner turned back to normal. Rayner fell to his knees. "Lord Rayner your back!" A Star toad cried. "Ugh, what happened?" He asked, very weak. "Venetia turned you to stone!" Starry said, as the others helped him up and handed him his cane. "I was turned to Stone? Then who saved me? Rayner asked. "It was Starry, she somehow changed you back. She did the same to Mario when he was turned to stone!" Theodore said. "But that's impossible, only our Princess has the power to reverse Venetia's spells!" Rayner said, seeing Starry and stared into her rare blue eyes and knew. "Oh, my stars, Princess!" Rayner said, bowing. The Star toads did to. "What? Princess. Starry is your Princess!" Theodore said. Rayner walked up to Starry and kneeled. "Please forgive us Maria. We have failed you!" Rayner said, as Starry walked up to him and placed her hand onto his head. "No Lord Rayner, you have not. There's still a chance we can save both our kingdoms!" Starry said.
Soon they all gathered around Rayner. "It true, Venetia wants our Princess dead. With Maria out of the way there would be no chance to save those who have been turned to stone or taken controlled by her!" Rayner said. "If Venetia was there to kill you. How did you escape?" Mario asked. "Lord Rayner changed me to look like a Star toad!" Starry said. A Star toad. So, this is not your true form! Theodore said. "No, it's a disguise. I'm a human like Mario!" Starry said. Just when a Star toad scout flew in. "Lord Rayner!" He said, saluting. "Report Fred?" Rayner said. "Venetia's ship is almost ready to leave for the next Kingdom. I saw them loading their Princess as a statue onto her ship!" Fred reported. "Oh no she doesn't. We got to get onto that ship and save Princess Peach!" Mario said. But how Mario. You and Yoshi will need a fast-flying Item to reach the ship in time!" Theodore said, thinking. "Wait, I know what items can do that!" Theodore said. "Great, then let's get going!" Mario said, running ahead. Theodore turned to Starry. "Starry!" he said. "I know I can't go with you. Please be careful Venetia is very dangerous!" Starry said, hugging him. "Don't worry we will!" Theodore said, running off to catch up to Mario and Yoshi.
At Peach's Castle Venetia's troops were almost done loading the supplies onto the ship.
Mario, Theodore and Yoshi headed back to the Castle and Toad town. On the way, they saw a large group of guards coming down the road. "Mario, guards coming down the road!" Theodore said, as they quickly rushed into the forest and hid. Mario peeked around the Mushroom stem as the group of guards and prisoners walked by. "Mario look. It's Toadworth and Toad!" Theodore whispered. "I see them!" Mario whispered, looking around and saw a question block not far from them. "Okay you two, here's the plan!" Mario said. The guards kept moving the prisoners ahead. "Keep moving!" one of them ordered. when they heard a commotion behind them. The guards, Toadworth and Toad all looked back as Mario, Theodore and Yoshi attacked. As Theodore jumped on some of the guard's heads, knocking them out. Yoshi grabbed some guards with his tongue and put them into his mouth and spit them at the other guards also knocking them out. Mario dodged and hopped onto the guard's heads as he made his way to the Question block. When he reached the block, he leaped and hit it and touched the fire flower. After powering up more guards rushed at him with weapons drawn. Mario threw a fire ball at them and melted their weapons. Which made them run off screaming. Mario continued to melt the guard's weapons and knock them out. After all the guards were out of commission. Mario walked up to Toadworth, Toad and the other prisoners. The Toads all cheered. "Master Mario, thank the Mushrooms you're okay!" Toadworth said, as Mario melted his chains. "Are you guys, okay?" Mario asked, melting Toad's chains. We're fine Mario, but Venetia has turned the Princess to stone and taken over the kingdom!" Toad said. "Don't worry, I'll deal with Venetia!" Mario said, angrily. "Toadworth there's a Star toad camp site not far from here. You and the other toads will be safe there!" Theodore said. "Right. Good luck boys!" Toadworth said, as he and the other toads headed down the road, while Mario, Theodore, Toad and Yoshi headed towards Toad town.