Meanwhile with Bowser, he had made it to the outskirts of Petalburg.

He grumbled, "I'm pretty sure it's just up ahead here..."

Kammy flew her broom over to the Koopa King as she stated, "Right as usual, Lord Bowser! We just got word that Princess Peach was spotted in the town ahead."

Bowser replied, "Good! Yes, very good. Then I'm off! These fools don't know what's coming!"

Kammy chuckled evilly, "My lord! You're so super!"

With that, the two villains went on their way. It didn't take them long to reach Petalburg.

The Koopa started to say, "Oh, hey, welcome to Petalburg and..." That's when he noticed Bowser and shrieked, "Hide, everybody! Hide!"

The Koopa then ran off, fearing for his life.

Bowser huffed, "Hmmph! What a wuss. Yes, hide, chickens! I have no need for any of you! What I do need, though, is Princess Peach. Now, where is she? Tell me this instant!"

Kammy perked up, "Lord Bowser! Over there!" They both took a look and saw a poster of the princess on the side of a house. She said, "Bingo! Princess Peach! Man, that was easy!"

Bowser hopped over, "I've found you, my princess! I, Bowser, the mighty Koopa king, offer my greeting!" There was no response to that, which upset Bowser a bit. He insisted, "Now, now! None of that silent treatment! You're coming to my castle with me!"

Kammy offered, "Mweh heh heh! Clearly she's so overcome with joy that she's been left speechless! The mind of a maiden is, well, rather...complicated. Mweh heh heh!"

Bowser chuckled, "I see! I see! How refined! How elegant! Awesome! I suppose I could live with a silent princess! It might even have its perks, ya know?"

"NO!" Someone shouted.

Bowser and Kammy both perked up, seeing another Koopa (Ivan) was there and he was terrified.

Ivan whimpered, "My...my life's treasure! I'd rather die than give up my life-sized Peach poster!"

Ivan jumped over, rolling it up (much to Bowser's shock), and went back into his house.

Bowser shouted, "P - POSTER?"

Kammy moaned, "Oh, my goodness me... Didn't see that coming..."

Bowser was upset, "Great. Just great. Now I look like the huge, might king of GUYS WHO TALK TO POSTERS!"

...

Back with the heroes, they were outside of the Great Tree.

Punio commented, "Uh...Mario, Luigi...everyone... Thank you for everything you've done. We can go back to our peaceful lives now."

Goombella smiled, "We are glad to have helped."

Elder admitted, "You know, now that we get right down to it, I'm kind of sad to see you go. I do love pontificating, so come on by whenever you want to sit and chat awhile."

Koops gushed, "We would love that!"

Petuni said, "Yeah same, please come back and visit! We'll watch for you!"

Flurrie told them, "I know you will! I will miss you all."

Punio reassured, "We'll miss you too, Madame Flurrie. But we will work together from now on to prevent anything like that from happening again."

Violet stated, "Glad to hear that."

Punio replied, "Thanks for showing us how to stick together, everyone. Good luck with the Crystal Stars!"

Luigi responded, "Hey thanks Punio."

Punio said, "Anytime Luigi."

Luigi nodded as Petuni turned to Mario, "Thank you for everything, Mr. Mario!"

Mario pointed out, "Hey, it just wasn't me that did the work. We did it together."

Everyone agreed. Mario and the heroes all waved goodbye as they headed back to Rogueport once again.

...

As they were starting to head back again, Mario's Mailbox SP went off again. He saw that he had another email. He had opened it.

He read, "Dear Mario, I'm sure you're very concerned about me... But please know that I'm fine! I'm actually more worried about you. The fiends that kidnapped me are searching desperately for the Crystal Stars. I'll try to learn what I can about them. I'll email again if I uncover anything, okay? You must know I miss you. Lately I've dreamt about our days back in the castle. I hope we'll spend more carefree days there again soon. -Princess Peach."

Violet breathed, "Well it is a relief to know she's safe."

Goombella teased Mario, "And dreaming of Mario."

To that, Mario blushed out of embarrassment.

Luigi chuckled, "Come on everyone, let's head back to Rogueport. Last one to the warp pipe is a dried up mushroom!"

With that, he started to run to the pipe. Everyone laughed as they raced too.

...

Once they got back down to the Thousand Year Door, Mario and Luigi stood on the middle platform once again. They held up the Crystal Star. The platform started to glow blue once again. The blue lights came out in front, around, and on the floor. The map came out of Mario's pocket as a bunch of silver stars seemed to go into it again. The map kept going higher and higher above the brothers until a white light from the heavens descended on the map. When the brothers were able to open their eyes, they saw the map. Then a suddenly another marker appeared on the map, in between the vine and the castle. A silver star formed and the map vibrated.

Violet was in awe, "That was so cool!"

Flurrie added, "And truly beautiful!"

Goombella frowned, "Yes but I still don't know where this place is..."

Koops suggested, "Maybe the professor would. He would probably like to know that Violet's okay."

Luigi replied, "I agree. And this location looks like it is in the sky. He would probably know where we have to go."

Mario said, "Come on, let's go see him."

The group nodded as they headed back to Professor Frankly's house yet again.

...

They went into Professor Frankly's house, introducing him to both Violet and Madame Flurrie. The professor was glad to see that Violet was okay. Professor Frankly took a look at the map and he opened his book.

He muttered, "...that means that beneath this town, the thousand-year-old ruins remain intact." He closed the book and said, "And that door's been sealed shut for a thousand years by the Crystal Stars... In order to open that seal, we have to muster the power of all the Crystal Stars."

Flurrie asked, "Perhaps I'm just daft, but why would they want to seal this treasure away at all? Did they fear thieves and brigands? If not, then what?"

Professor Frankly sighed, "I don't know to be honest. I'm so sorry."

Violet replied, "It's not your fault."

Professor Frankly smiled at her, "Thank you my dear. But I do know that the treasure was sealed around the same time the town was destroyed..."

Koops raised a brow, "Do you think the two events are connected?"

Professor Frankly stated, "Of that I'm not sure either. However, no one is quite sure of what it was that caused the town's demise. All that's written is this: 'Darkness stole the sky and the cataclysm rained down'."

Goombella repeated, "Darkness stole the sky and the cataclysm rained down... Sounds very scary, whatever it was."

Professor Frankly nodded, "I must research this more. Assuming will just make an... Well, you know the saying."

Luigi nodded, "Yeah, we understand. But what about this Crystal Star that's floating on the map?"

Professor Frankly explained, "Oh yes, it is very interesting... Perhaps it's pointing to the floating town of Glitzville... There's a stunning arena there where great warriors engage in furious battles! Ostensibly, families go there on vacation to lounge and enjoy the fights, but... Behind the scenes, the richest people in the world wager on the bouts."

Mario stated, "Well, it doesn't matter what's going on. We will get ourselves ready and then head out for Glitzville."

The group all nodded in agreement with their leader.

...

Wishmaker1028: I thought I would make this chapter a bit longer. Hope you all enjoy! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!