Yoshi paced frantically around the house. He'd just invited a bunch of his friends, and their worst enemy, to his home, all at once, for Christmas! There had to be some way he could warn his friends before they arrived. He ran to his desk and reached for his stationery but was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Maybe my friends are already here. Maybe I can warn them right now." He rushed to the door and swung it open only to find that Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings were standing right there. With a sudden great effort he resisted his urge to slam the door shut and merely said "Um, hello."
"Hi," responded Bowser Jr. "I hope we're not too early."
"Early for what?"
"You know, your party. I'm sorry my dad's not coming, he uh, doesn't really do Christmas. Um, why- if you don't mind my asking...why did you invite us?"
Yoshi started to say "It was actually just a mistake" but paused before the words came out. The Koopa Prince and his minions looked rather meek, even shy, not bent on some maniacal plot. "Well..." he began slowly, "I didn't really expect you to come."
The group looked a little crestfallen. Yoshi glanced at the sky and couldn't help but notice the stars. One seemed to shine a little brighter than the others tonight. It reminded him of something he'd somehow forgotten, and he suddenly became resolved on what to do.
"I'm glad you're here, though! It's always nice to have new people over. Come on in, and of course, Merry Christmas!"
The surprise on Bowser Jr.'s face was matched only by the joy displayed by the rest of the group. They each filed in, one by one, and took seats around the house, then remained quiet while Yoshi finished arranging some of the food items.
"We brought something to eat," remarked Bowser Jr. "It's not something we made- I don't think you'd really enjoy any of our recipes."
"It looks wonderful!" Yoshi smiled hesitantly as he regarded the store-bought cookies. It was the thought that counted, after all.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before Mario and the rest of the partygoers arrived. Although initially apprehensive, it soon became obvious to each in turn, even Peach, that the Koopalings and their prince were really just there for the party, and as the tension loosened, everyone began to really enjoy themselves. Mario and Yoshi walked a little ways away from everyone else and Mario looked at Yoshi with a questioning grin.
"It was actually an accident. I had no idea I invited them. To be perfectly honest, though, I'm glad I did! They're actually a pretty fun group!"
Mario nodded and chuckled.
"Kamek," asked Bowser as he stared out the tower window. "It's far too quiet around here. Tell those Koopalings to start making a ruckus."
"Of course, your majesty."
Bowser sighed. It wasn't traditional in his family to keep Christmas, so he didn't, but at times he felt he was missing out. Maybe next year he might try decorating. After all, there was nothing wrong with a dad trying to keep his son happy, right?
He was interrupted by a flustered Kamek dashing into the room. "They're gone, your majesty! The Koopalings have vanished! Their Koopa Clown Cars are all here but there's no Koopalings! And," he swallowed nervously, lowering his voice to a near whisper, "Bowser Jr. is gone too."
Bowser turned pale. "Repeat that," was all he could manage to get out.
"The Koopalings and Bowser Jr. are gone! No one knows where or when!"
If ever Kamek saw Bowser run fast, it was then. With the maximum speed allowed by his bulk he bounded down the stairs to his Koopa Clown Car. In seconds he was in the air speeding away towards the Mushroom Kingdom.
"Your majesty!" cried Kamek frantically. "Shouldn't we organize a search party?"
Bowser's hand was steady but his lips quivered a little as he reached Peach's castle.
"Who goes there?" barked a Toad sentry, obviously trying to sound less afraid than he was.
"It's King Bowser! Bring me my son, NOW!"
"Bowser Jr. is not here, sir, and neither is Princess Peach!"
"Then WHERE ARE THEY?!" the Koopa King roared.
The officially terrified Toad stammered out "Y-Y-Yoshi's Island, m-m-maybe?" He honestly didn't know, but Bowser took it for granted that he did and sped away towards Yoshi's house.
"I must admit," said Ludwig to Luigi, "Based on our track record I really never expected such a warm reception."
"Christmas is bigger than the past, Ludwig. It a-makes a real difference in the way we treat others. Strange as it sounds to us both, I'm a-glad to have met you in person. Oh-oh! Looks like Wendy and Daisy are having a disagreement over Yoshi's floral arrangement."
The two started towards the Princess and the Koopa, but were interrupted by the house suddenly shaking.
"YOSHI!!!" came Bowser's roar from outside. "I want my son and the Koopalings right NOW!"
Before anyone could take any action Bowser Jr. darted a look around. If his dad thought he was in danger, then everyone in the house was in grave peril. He shouted, "Dad, wait! It's....it's my fault." Walking to the door he opened it and saw the Koopa King standing right on the threshold, apparently ready to break down the door. Bowser jolted when he saw his son and then grabbed him in an embrace that would have injured anyone without a shell.
"I'm sorry, Dad," Bowser Jr. said. "I just wanted to have Christmas!"
"I thought you were in trouble."
"Aren't I?"
"How? You're safe, that's all that matters. Um, what do you mean about Christmas?"
"Well, Yoshi sent us an invitation to his party and I really couldn't resist. I brought everyone else along to have fun. I'm sorry."
Bowser paused for a second, then spoke haltingly. "You...don't need to apologize. You wanted to celebrate, I didn't do it, so you went somewhere else. I can't blame you for my mistake. Motioning to the others, he said, "I worried about his safety. I'm a little embarrassed. I'll leave you all alone now, but, can he stay, despite me?"
The partygoers stared at Bowser somewhat confusedly for a second. Then Mario spoke up.
"If it's all the same to you, Bowser, we'd prefer that you stay. Christmas, after all, did start with a Dad turning everything upside down to ensure His children's safety."
Bowser's eyes widened a second, then he nodded without a word, and walked into the house, closing the door behind him.
As the party continued, Yoshi suddenly realized that his Christmas depression was gone, and he laughed as loud as any Yoshi could.
"Daisy," remarked Peach.
"Yeah?"
"I think I just figured out who I forgot on my list."
"I'd say so, too."
"So, Bro," said Luigi, "Would you say you finally found the Christmas you were looking for?"
Mario nodded. "Merry Christmas, Bro."
"Merry Christmas."
December 24, 2015
December 22, 2015
Vol. 5, Ch. 2 - Party for...Who?
"Is there even a remote chance," began Daisy as she continued to scan Peach's catalog, "that you forgot anyone at all?"
"None. Not even a beginning of a chance. There's no way, at all, in this galaxy or another, that I missed anyone. I have every single friend and acquaintance on this list!"
Suddenly they heard the castle doorbell ring
"Excuse me!" yelled a Shy Guy from outside the gate. "Delivery from Yoshi's Island!"
"Oh!" Peach smiled a little. "Something to distract me for a moment couldn't be more welcome. I'll let him in."
"I'm closer," replied Daisy, pacing to the door. "I'll do it." She opened the door to the Shy Guy, who stepped inside.
"Is Princess Peach around?"
"Right here. What have you got for me?"
"Express letter from..." the Shy Guy frowned as he read the signature, "T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas. I'm afraid I don't know what the "T." stands for. I can open it if there's a security concern."
"That's quite alright, thank you. I know who it is. Here's a cupcake for your pains."
As the Shy Guy skipped happily away Peach tore into the letter.
"Well," asked Daisy, "What does the dino want?"
"Looks like he's got a little lonely. He sent this letter to a bunch of people, including you, although he didn't know you were visiting me. He wants each of us to bring a snack to his place for a before-Christmas party."
"Yoshi? Lonely? He's surrounded by other Yoshis. How could he be lonely?"
"Yoshis tend to leave the island en masse for Christmas shopping this time of year. Only a few stick around, and it sounds like this year it might be just him."
"Not very secure for the island."
"Well," Peach said, sighing, "Yoshis tend to be a little less suspicious of the rest of the world. Perhaps we could learn something from them."
"Perhaps- but they aren't neighbors to the Koopa Kingdom."
"I've always wondered what that place is like around Christmastime."
"My guess is that it's as dumpy as ever."
"Well, let's grab some cookies and head to Yoshi's Island. No point in keeping him waiting, and maybe he has some advice for my Christmas confusion."
As the princesses walked towards a warp zone Mario was just heading past Coconut Mall. To his surprise he noticed Luigi, standing by the door and ringing a bell. As he approached Luigi noticed his surprise.
"Hey, Bro! Surprised? Thought I'd give a little of my time this year to something besides eating and shopping. The local Salvation Army is always a-looking for bell ringers this time of year. I'm about to finish up, though, so I'll walk home with you if you'll wait a second."
Mario nodded. Luigi seemed happy enough. Perhaps some of his brothers Christmas cheer would rub off on him. He smiled as his brother passed his apron and bell to a Toadette who began ringing furiously. As the two walked off Luigi winced.
"She must a-be new. They tell us to try to not deafen people. Oh well."
They walked in silence until they reached their house. Mario noticed the mailbox flag and reached inside. "Luigi," he motioned to his brother to come closer.
"We have an invitation from Yoshi! How neat is a-that? Well, we can't a-go empty handed! I'll grab some cookies and we'll take our warp pipe!"
"Okey-dokey!" Mario brightened up a little. It was nearly Christmas! How bad could things really be when Christmas was so close? Besides, here he was, about to visit some great friends with his brother. Probably he just needed some company to snap out of that funk he'd been in.
"Your highness! Your highness!" cried Ludwig with more energy than most of the Koopalings would have expected from him. "We've received a letter from Yoshi's Island! Yoshi has invited us to his place for food and friends!"
"That hardly seems possible!" replied the Koopa Prince. "How can you be sure?"
"The letter was delivered via Shy Guy Post! He even used his actual name on the envelope!"
"Let me see!"
"What is it?" called Larry as the other Koopalings, attracted by the noise, came running.
"It looks like an invitation!" yelled Morton.
"Perhaps to a party!" cried Lemmy.
"Don't be silly!" Wendy protested. "No one would invite us to their party! Right, Ludwig?"
"Well...I..."
"What he's saying," interrupted Bowser Jr., "Is that you're wrong, Wendy. Believe it or not, we've been invited to Yoshi's Island for a Christmas Eve party."
The Koopalings' surprise was matched only by their jubilation, except for Ludwig, who hesitantly interrupted.
"Of course King Bowser will forbid our going."
He was met with howls of protest and anger from the others, but Bowser Jr. held up his hand and silenced them.
"He will not forbid it."
"How are you so certain, your Highness?"
"He will not know about it."
The Koopalings stood stunned then huddled together.
"You're going..." gulped Larry, "To ignore the...King?"
"Yes. I'm tired of not having a Christmas. If we can't have it here, we'll have it on Yoshi's island. Get into your clown cars. We're leaving immediately."
"B-B-But we need to bring a snack!" cried Roy.
"We'll pick something up along the way. Now hush!"
As Yoshi checked the fireplace and the lights and the table full of food for what seemed like the hundredth time, he sighed. How much longer would it take for his friends to arrive?
"Delivery confirmation for you, sir," said a Shy Guy right outside the house.
"Oh! Come in. Thank you," Yoshi replied as he took the list of confirmed addresses from the Shy Guy. He scanned the list briefly and tossed it aside, then jolted as if realizing something suddenly. Picking the list up again, he paused in horror.
"No. No, no, no, no, no! I- it can't, how?! How did I send an invitation to Bowser's castle?!"
"None. Not even a beginning of a chance. There's no way, at all, in this galaxy or another, that I missed anyone. I have every single friend and acquaintance on this list!"
Suddenly they heard the castle doorbell ring
"Excuse me!" yelled a Shy Guy from outside the gate. "Delivery from Yoshi's Island!"
"Oh!" Peach smiled a little. "Something to distract me for a moment couldn't be more welcome. I'll let him in."
"I'm closer," replied Daisy, pacing to the door. "I'll do it." She opened the door to the Shy Guy, who stepped inside.
"Is Princess Peach around?"
"Right here. What have you got for me?"
"Express letter from..." the Shy Guy frowned as he read the signature, "T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas. I'm afraid I don't know what the "T." stands for. I can open it if there's a security concern."
"That's quite alright, thank you. I know who it is. Here's a cupcake for your pains."
As the Shy Guy skipped happily away Peach tore into the letter.
"Well," asked Daisy, "What does the dino want?"
"Looks like he's got a little lonely. He sent this letter to a bunch of people, including you, although he didn't know you were visiting me. He wants each of us to bring a snack to his place for a before-Christmas party."
"Yoshi? Lonely? He's surrounded by other Yoshis. How could he be lonely?"
"Yoshis tend to leave the island en masse for Christmas shopping this time of year. Only a few stick around, and it sounds like this year it might be just him."
"Not very secure for the island."
"Well," Peach said, sighing, "Yoshis tend to be a little less suspicious of the rest of the world. Perhaps we could learn something from them."
"Perhaps- but they aren't neighbors to the Koopa Kingdom."
"I've always wondered what that place is like around Christmastime."
"My guess is that it's as dumpy as ever."
"Well, let's grab some cookies and head to Yoshi's Island. No point in keeping him waiting, and maybe he has some advice for my Christmas confusion."
As the princesses walked towards a warp zone Mario was just heading past Coconut Mall. To his surprise he noticed Luigi, standing by the door and ringing a bell. As he approached Luigi noticed his surprise.
"Hey, Bro! Surprised? Thought I'd give a little of my time this year to something besides eating and shopping. The local Salvation Army is always a-looking for bell ringers this time of year. I'm about to finish up, though, so I'll walk home with you if you'll wait a second."
Mario nodded. Luigi seemed happy enough. Perhaps some of his brothers Christmas cheer would rub off on him. He smiled as his brother passed his apron and bell to a Toadette who began ringing furiously. As the two walked off Luigi winced.
"She must a-be new. They tell us to try to not deafen people. Oh well."
They walked in silence until they reached their house. Mario noticed the mailbox flag and reached inside. "Luigi," he motioned to his brother to come closer.
"We have an invitation from Yoshi! How neat is a-that? Well, we can't a-go empty handed! I'll grab some cookies and we'll take our warp pipe!"
"Okey-dokey!" Mario brightened up a little. It was nearly Christmas! How bad could things really be when Christmas was so close? Besides, here he was, about to visit some great friends with his brother. Probably he just needed some company to snap out of that funk he'd been in.
"Your highness! Your highness!" cried Ludwig with more energy than most of the Koopalings would have expected from him. "We've received a letter from Yoshi's Island! Yoshi has invited us to his place for food and friends!"
"That hardly seems possible!" replied the Koopa Prince. "How can you be sure?"
"The letter was delivered via Shy Guy Post! He even used his actual name on the envelope!"
"Let me see!"
"What is it?" called Larry as the other Koopalings, attracted by the noise, came running.
"It looks like an invitation!" yelled Morton.
"Perhaps to a party!" cried Lemmy.
"Don't be silly!" Wendy protested. "No one would invite us to their party! Right, Ludwig?"
"Well...I..."
"What he's saying," interrupted Bowser Jr., "Is that you're wrong, Wendy. Believe it or not, we've been invited to Yoshi's Island for a Christmas Eve party."
The Koopalings' surprise was matched only by their jubilation, except for Ludwig, who hesitantly interrupted.
"Of course King Bowser will forbid our going."
He was met with howls of protest and anger from the others, but Bowser Jr. held up his hand and silenced them.
"He will not forbid it."
"How are you so certain, your Highness?"
"He will not know about it."
The Koopalings stood stunned then huddled together.
"You're going..." gulped Larry, "To ignore the...King?"
"Yes. I'm tired of not having a Christmas. If we can't have it here, we'll have it on Yoshi's island. Get into your clown cars. We're leaving immediately."
"B-B-But we need to bring a snack!" cried Roy.
"We'll pick something up along the way. Now hush!"
As Yoshi checked the fireplace and the lights and the table full of food for what seemed like the hundredth time, he sighed. How much longer would it take for his friends to arrive?
"Delivery confirmation for you, sir," said a Shy Guy right outside the house.
"Oh! Come in. Thank you," Yoshi replied as he took the list of confirmed addresses from the Shy Guy. He scanned the list briefly and tossed it aside, then jolted as if realizing something suddenly. Picking the list up again, he paused in horror.
"No. No, no, no, no, no! I- it can't, how?! How did I send an invitation to Bowser's castle?!"
Continued this week, completed by Christmas.
December 21, 2015
UPDATE.
Hello All!
Sorry I'm late with the next chapter! I began it, but several circumstances prevented (including an internet access crash). I will post the next chapter tomorrow, and this story will be done in time for Christmas! Apologies and thanks!
Sorry I'm late with the next chapter! I began it, but several circumstances prevented (including an internet access crash). I will post the next chapter tomorrow, and this story will be done in time for Christmas! Apologies and thanks!
December 15, 2015
Vol. 5, Ch. 1 - Christmas Approach.
"I give up!" cried Peach, tossing aside the catalog in her hand and turning to Daisy. "I can give a gift to anyone in the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond with ease. I've bought something for every friend I have! No one, not a single person, has been overlooked! Mario, Yoshi, Luigi, You, E. Gadd, all the Toads, Donkey Kong and the Kong Klan, even Wario and Waluigi, Rosalina, Birdo, and every other single friend I have! Why do I feel like I'm missing someone?"
"Perhaps you just overlooked someone on the list. Have you checked it twice?" asked her friend, picking up the catalog and looking it over.
"Har-har. I've checked the thing a billion times, Daisy!"
"That seems like an exaggeration."
"If I wasn't so holly-jolly I might take offense to that comment."
"Thank goodness it's Christmas, huh?"
"To be completely frank, that was sarcasm."
"I know, but I figured you didn't need me to remind you."
"Alright, alright. So what's your advice?"
"Maybe you're just looking for someone who isn't a friend yet. Any plans to go out and talk to people this Christmas?"
"Sure, but, so what? I always do a public address this time of year."
"No, I mean, are you going out to meet people?"
"Ah, no. No I wasn't. I kind of wanted to be quiet at home for the most part."
As the two princesses conversed at the castle Mario strolled along Mushroom Road, pondering Christmas himself. It seemed like the Mushroom Kingdom was missing something. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it was as if there was less exuberance about it this year for no real reason. People were excited, certainly, but...it was like Christmas was just a party, and it had always been more than that in the past. What was it that everyone had lost, including himself? He shook his head and frowned. He needed to find the missing detail before the day actually came, or this might be the first forgettable Christmas he'd had.
"Mama-mia."
"Almost there. And there it- WOA!!" cried Yoshi as the ladder from which he was hanging lights tipped and then fell, taking him with it. A short plunge into a snowdrift and a vigorous shaking away of the stuff later, he looked up at his roof. The lights were perfectly set despite his fall. Yet it still looked wrong. Maybe it was because he was depressed. Yoshi's Island was as Christmas-y as it had ever been, but he was sort of sad and didn't know why.
"What I need is to hang out with some friends. I'll have Mario and Luigi and Peach and Daisy over. That should solve my Christmas blues...right?"
Suddenly hopeful, he scrambled into his bedroom and pulled out some paper. Five minutes later the invitations were on their way out via Shy Guy post.
"Okay. Now I just wait. Hrmm...I wish the other Yoshis weren't all shopping out and about. I'd like to hang out with some friends now. I guess I just wait. Why's Christmas so- ordinary this year?"
Meanwhile Bowser sat in his room regarding a random coin he'd picked up earlier. He didn't notice his son come in. After regarding the Koopa King a while, Bowser Jr. cleared his throat.
"Dad?" he began. "I'd like to decorate this year."
"Decorate what?"
"The castle."
"We just redecorated, son. Why would we do it again?"
"No, I mean...um...for Christ- mas."
Bowser had a peculiar habit of holding his breath when stunned. This time he nearly turned blue.
"Why do you want to decorate?"
"Well, I think it would be a nice gesture."
"Gesture of what?"
"I dunno...the season, maybe?"
"Son... I didn't think I'd have to tell you this, but...we don't celebrate Christmas around here."
"I just thought we could try something new-"
"We just can't."
"Why not?"
"It's just not-"
"Not what?"
"Not really a good fit in our way of life."
"Well can't we just deco-"
"No. We- I'm sorry, it's just not possible. That's final. Understand? Final."
Bowser Jr. hesitated a moment. Then with an air of resignation he said, "Alright, Dad," and walked out of the room into a crowd of anticipating Koopalings.
"What'd he say?" asked Larry.
"Did he agree?" demanded Roy.
"Can we use a lot of rings and sparkly things?" cried Wendy.
"Everyone wait a moment," interposed Ludwig. "Give him a moment to breathe!"
"Sor-sorry, guys."
The Koopalings looked at him and then slowly meandered away, one-by-one, until only Bowser Jr. and Ludwig were left.
"It's like I told you, your highness," Ludwig muttered. "He won't budge on the subject. You aren't the first to ask."
"I just thought if anyone could change his mind it would be me."
"I know. Hope is always a good thing, if a little foreign around here. Next year, maybe."
"I just wish we could celebrate Christmas around here. I don't want to copy all of the other kingdoms or anything, but I feel like they might be getting something we're not."
"Perhaps so. We can only wait, I suppose."
"Perhaps you just overlooked someone on the list. Have you checked it twice?" asked her friend, picking up the catalog and looking it over.
"Har-har. I've checked the thing a billion times, Daisy!"
"That seems like an exaggeration."
"If I wasn't so holly-jolly I might take offense to that comment."
"Thank goodness it's Christmas, huh?"
"To be completely frank, that was sarcasm."
"I know, but I figured you didn't need me to remind you."
"Alright, alright. So what's your advice?"
"Maybe you're just looking for someone who isn't a friend yet. Any plans to go out and talk to people this Christmas?"
"Sure, but, so what? I always do a public address this time of year."
"No, I mean, are you going out to meet people?"
"Ah, no. No I wasn't. I kind of wanted to be quiet at home for the most part."
As the two princesses conversed at the castle Mario strolled along Mushroom Road, pondering Christmas himself. It seemed like the Mushroom Kingdom was missing something. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it was as if there was less exuberance about it this year for no real reason. People were excited, certainly, but...it was like Christmas was just a party, and it had always been more than that in the past. What was it that everyone had lost, including himself? He shook his head and frowned. He needed to find the missing detail before the day actually came, or this might be the first forgettable Christmas he'd had.
"Mama-mia."
"Almost there. And there it- WOA!!" cried Yoshi as the ladder from which he was hanging lights tipped and then fell, taking him with it. A short plunge into a snowdrift and a vigorous shaking away of the stuff later, he looked up at his roof. The lights were perfectly set despite his fall. Yet it still looked wrong. Maybe it was because he was depressed. Yoshi's Island was as Christmas-y as it had ever been, but he was sort of sad and didn't know why.
"What I need is to hang out with some friends. I'll have Mario and Luigi and Peach and Daisy over. That should solve my Christmas blues...right?"
Suddenly hopeful, he scrambled into his bedroom and pulled out some paper. Five minutes later the invitations were on their way out via Shy Guy post.
"Okay. Now I just wait. Hrmm...I wish the other Yoshis weren't all shopping out and about. I'd like to hang out with some friends now. I guess I just wait. Why's Christmas so- ordinary this year?"
Meanwhile Bowser sat in his room regarding a random coin he'd picked up earlier. He didn't notice his son come in. After regarding the Koopa King a while, Bowser Jr. cleared his throat.
"Dad?" he began. "I'd like to decorate this year."
"Decorate what?"
"The castle."
"We just redecorated, son. Why would we do it again?"
"No, I mean...um...for Christ- mas."
Bowser had a peculiar habit of holding his breath when stunned. This time he nearly turned blue.
"Why do you want to decorate?"
"Well, I think it would be a nice gesture."
"Gesture of what?"
"I dunno...the season, maybe?"
"Son... I didn't think I'd have to tell you this, but...we don't celebrate Christmas around here."
"I just thought we could try something new-"
"We just can't."
"Why not?"
"It's just not-"
"Not what?"
"Not really a good fit in our way of life."
"Well can't we just deco-"
"No. We- I'm sorry, it's just not possible. That's final. Understand? Final."
Bowser Jr. hesitated a moment. Then with an air of resignation he said, "Alright, Dad," and walked out of the room into a crowd of anticipating Koopalings.
"What'd he say?" asked Larry.
"Did he agree?" demanded Roy.
"Can we use a lot of rings and sparkly things?" cried Wendy.
"Everyone wait a moment," interposed Ludwig. "Give him a moment to breathe!"
"Sor-sorry, guys."
The Koopalings looked at him and then slowly meandered away, one-by-one, until only Bowser Jr. and Ludwig were left.
"It's like I told you, your highness," Ludwig muttered. "He won't budge on the subject. You aren't the first to ask."
"I just thought if anyone could change his mind it would be me."
"I know. Hope is always a good thing, if a little foreign around here. Next year, maybe."
"I just wish we could celebrate Christmas around here. I don't want to copy all of the other kingdoms or anything, but I feel like they might be getting something we're not."
"Perhaps so. We can only wait, I suppose."
Continued later this week.
November 22, 2015
Thanksgiving Break...
Hello, Readers!
In order to enjoy the upcoming holiday and get a few things squared away, I'm taking a break through Thanksgiving. Don't worry, I'll begin updating shortly after that- and I've got some new ideas in the mix! Have a very happy Thanksgiving!
In order to enjoy the upcoming holiday and get a few things squared away, I'm taking a break through Thanksgiving. Don't worry, I'll begin updating shortly after that- and I've got some new ideas in the mix! Have a very happy Thanksgiving!
November 14, 2015
Vol. 4, Ch. 5 - Less Than a Conqueror.
"What in the world are you a-talking about?" asked Luigi incredulously.
"I'm talking about Peach!" cried Bowser with apparent disregard for his out of character attitude.
"Well, what about her?"
"What do you MEAN, what about her!? Look at her!"
"She's fine, Bowser. It was just a little storm, is all. What are you doing here?"
"A LITTLE STORM!" roared the Koopa King. "IT WAS THE BIGGEST STORM IN THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM'S HISTORY! IT BROUGHT DOWN THE CASTLE! IT FLOODED THE MOAT! IT-"
"Wait. How would you know this?"
"Oh, PLEASE! Like I don't have someone watching that castle all the time? C'mon, Luigi, I know you're smarter than that."
"Well, I..."
"Where were you going? The Warp Zone?"
"Yes, we were, but-" Luigi caught a glimpse of Toadsworth vigorously shaking his head. "Why are you here? You haven't answered my question, and frankly, your presence is pretty unusual. In fact, it's unsettling, Bowser. In case you haven't remembered, this is PEACH we're talking about. You know, the Princess you kidnap on a nearly scheduled basis? Why on earth are you so concerned about her?"
Suddenly Bowser turned very red. "Well, I, uh...um...er..."
"Enough dodging the question, Bowser. Why are you here?"
The fire was starting to warm up the group and the Princesses were slowly coming to. Bowser glanced around the room. "Kamek!" he barked.
"Yes, King Bowser?"
"Keep an eye on them. Luigi will follow me."
Luigi followed Bowser to the doorway and into the engine room. His curiosity had nearly overcome his concern by now. Besides, at this rate they had all technically been kidnapped- there wasn't much he could do, and Bowser was acting so strangely that there seemed to be little immediate danger. Finally Bowser turned around and took a deep breath.
"Luigi."
"Yes?"
"No one can know what I'm about to tell you. I'm binding you to secrecy under penalty of my wrath."
"Right. Continue."
"Okay..." here Bowser took another deep breath, as if steeling himself for some sort of blow. "There's something about me that no one except Kamek knows, and that's because I trust him implicitly. Here it is - I really don't hate Mario."
"Really. Okay, sure."
"No, let me continue. I don't hate Mario. I don't hate you, or Yoshi, or the Toads, or the Princesses, or any other person I've ever fought. The fact is...I've always needed conflict. I've lived for knowing that any moment someone would smash through my stronghold's door, demand Peach back and fight me for her. For years now I've done the same thing time after time. Honestly, though, you didn't think I was that slow, did you? To use the same tactics and weapons over and over and over again and expect that somehow I'd manage to keep Peach captive? I know what insanity is, Luigi, but I was never taught to be a hero. I've got no idea how to rescue a princess - it's not part of my traditional family training. The Koopas are a proud family of conquest, victory, and manifest destiny. I was taught aggression and power and political expertise. I was given a drive to reach for more no matter how much I had, and for a long time I loved it, because, well...it was exciting. It gave me meaning. The very first time I kidnapped Peach it was thrilling, no- exhilarating! I'd never had so much fun! But..." Bowser trailed off uncertainly.
"But...?" Luigi asked.
"But then you and Mario came along. I realized that there was someone out there willing to stand up and fight me, and I was even more motivated to fight once you proved yourselves worthy foes! I came up with more complicated plans, improved my arsenal, and developed some new tactics, but the goal was always the same. I knew that if I kidnapped Peach, you two would come for her - and then you introduced Yoshi and so many other characters into the conflict! Time after time, I left a loophole with which you guys could defeat me, and you always figured it out. One day I realized something, though, and it left me terrified."
"And that was?"
"I wasn't getting anywhere. The back-and-forth exchange was pointless. I was accomplishing nothing. So I poured everything I had into a new scheme - taking over the Sprixie Kingdom. I assumed I could conquer it without your interference. I was mistaken. Even Peach came along and together you all defeated me again! It was then I finally came to terms with the thing I'd been trying to hardest to deny. I've always been wrong, and you've been right. Never once have I had a justifiable reason for putting my troops on the line. Never once has kidnapping Peach resulted in something constructive. I've made myself the enemy of almost every decent person on this planet, and what have I gained? Not power. Not prestige. Not even victory, because I open myself to lose. Certainly not the affection-" At this Bowser stopped cold.
"What were you about to say?" asked Luigi.
"It's meaningless, Luigi," said Bowser, tearing up a second time. "Utterly meaningless. I've helped no one, hurt others, and pursued an empty lifestyle of giving people a hard time because I thought it meant something. I could have had so many more friends, caused so much less trouble. I could have even-"
"No, I mean it. What affection were you talking about?"
Bowser stood uncertain, like someone considering a high dive. After a very long pause, barely breathed out one word.
"Peach's."
"Hold on! What did you just say?"
"Please! I know it would never work - we aren't even the same species. At least I could have been her friend, though - maybe helped defend her from some other attacker. As it is, she hates me, and how can I blame her? Far as she knows, I'm a power-hungry and apparently rather slow villain who seems to exist purely to make life difficult for her. It's no wonder she loves Mario - he's actually done something to deserve it."
"That's not really how love-"
"It's too late to change now, though. I've set this road, and I don't see how I can get off of it. When I heard of the storm I couldn't help myself. A troop told me how the castle collapsed, and I knew the Warp Zone would fail,. When this is all over I'll make sure Peach and Daisy are safe, but they won't know I had anything to do with it. Neither will the Toads. But I can't make you forget - you're still strong, despite all you've been through tonight. You have to promise me, Luigi. No one can know what I've told you. Ever."
"But Bowser..."
"ENOUGH!" roared the Koopa King with more passion than Luigi had ever before heard. Suddenly Kamek appeared in the doorway.
"The storm is dying, my king."
"Then get us back to the Mushroom Castle. You know what to do from there."
"Understood."
Luigi looked at the formidable king. Never had Bowser looked so different, so hopeless, and Luigi wished he knew what to say. Nothing came. They sat in silence, until Bowser seemed to notice Luigi as if for the first time. "Kamek!"
"Yes, my king," replied the Magikoopa from the doorway.
"Get Luigi out of my way." He said this as if angry, but his voice quavered a little as he said it.
"Yes, your majesty."
Without another word Kamek beckoned to Luigi, who followed him into the same room he'd found himself in. The Princesses seemed to be asleep, but the color had returned to their faces. Most of the Toads had dropped asleep as well. Kamek waved his wand, and...
"It's almost unbelievable!" Peach continued as Mario, Yoshi, Luigi, and Daisy sat listening. Imagine Daisy and I and all those Toads having such a similar dream! The castle collapsing, Luigi rescuing Daisy from the pipes, the struggle to the Warp Zone! It's almost uncanny- it felt so real! I don't know what we were reading when we fell asleep but I hope it never happens again! I guess it just goes to show what happens when there's a long enough storm. Imagination goes crazy!" She laughed, and most of the table chuckled with her.
Luigi stretched and stood up. "I have to take a walk."
"Want me to come with-" began Daisy, but Luigi stopped her.
"No, I'm just stretching my legs. Thank you, though."
He walked across the castle drawbridge and towards the road to the Warp Zone.
"Think, Luigi. Could it have been just a dream? It seems so unlikely, but, what other explanation is there? Bowser could not have possibly-" he halted, seeing something unfamiliar on the roadside. Peering closer, Luigi realized it was a masthead from a boat, but its sheer size and familiar horn quickly pointed out its origin. Standing up and taking a long breath, he looked towards Bowser's castle.
"So it really did happen, hey?"
Just then he heard a rustle in the bushes.
"Don't worry, Kamek."
The rustling stopped.
"His secret is safe with me. Tell him one thing, though. Last night, if for just a little while, he really was a hero."
The rustling continued for a little longer, than stopped again. Luigi turned and walked back up the path towards Peach's castle.
"One day maybe they'll know the truth too."
"I'm talking about Peach!" cried Bowser with apparent disregard for his out of character attitude.
"Well, what about her?"
"What do you MEAN, what about her!? Look at her!"
"She's fine, Bowser. It was just a little storm, is all. What are you doing here?"
"A LITTLE STORM!" roared the Koopa King. "IT WAS THE BIGGEST STORM IN THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM'S HISTORY! IT BROUGHT DOWN THE CASTLE! IT FLOODED THE MOAT! IT-"
"Wait. How would you know this?"
"Oh, PLEASE! Like I don't have someone watching that castle all the time? C'mon, Luigi, I know you're smarter than that."
"Well, I..."
"Where were you going? The Warp Zone?"
"Yes, we were, but-" Luigi caught a glimpse of Toadsworth vigorously shaking his head. "Why are you here? You haven't answered my question, and frankly, your presence is pretty unusual. In fact, it's unsettling, Bowser. In case you haven't remembered, this is PEACH we're talking about. You know, the Princess you kidnap on a nearly scheduled basis? Why on earth are you so concerned about her?"
Suddenly Bowser turned very red. "Well, I, uh...um...er..."
"Enough dodging the question, Bowser. Why are you here?"
The fire was starting to warm up the group and the Princesses were slowly coming to. Bowser glanced around the room. "Kamek!" he barked.
"Yes, King Bowser?"
"Keep an eye on them. Luigi will follow me."
Luigi followed Bowser to the doorway and into the engine room. His curiosity had nearly overcome his concern by now. Besides, at this rate they had all technically been kidnapped- there wasn't much he could do, and Bowser was acting so strangely that there seemed to be little immediate danger. Finally Bowser turned around and took a deep breath.
"Luigi."
"Yes?"
"No one can know what I'm about to tell you. I'm binding you to secrecy under penalty of my wrath."
"Right. Continue."
"Okay..." here Bowser took another deep breath, as if steeling himself for some sort of blow. "There's something about me that no one except Kamek knows, and that's because I trust him implicitly. Here it is - I really don't hate Mario."
"Really. Okay, sure."
"No, let me continue. I don't hate Mario. I don't hate you, or Yoshi, or the Toads, or the Princesses, or any other person I've ever fought. The fact is...I've always needed conflict. I've lived for knowing that any moment someone would smash through my stronghold's door, demand Peach back and fight me for her. For years now I've done the same thing time after time. Honestly, though, you didn't think I was that slow, did you? To use the same tactics and weapons over and over and over again and expect that somehow I'd manage to keep Peach captive? I know what insanity is, Luigi, but I was never taught to be a hero. I've got no idea how to rescue a princess - it's not part of my traditional family training. The Koopas are a proud family of conquest, victory, and manifest destiny. I was taught aggression and power and political expertise. I was given a drive to reach for more no matter how much I had, and for a long time I loved it, because, well...it was exciting. It gave me meaning. The very first time I kidnapped Peach it was thrilling, no- exhilarating! I'd never had so much fun! But..." Bowser trailed off uncertainly.
"But...?" Luigi asked.
"But then you and Mario came along. I realized that there was someone out there willing to stand up and fight me, and I was even more motivated to fight once you proved yourselves worthy foes! I came up with more complicated plans, improved my arsenal, and developed some new tactics, but the goal was always the same. I knew that if I kidnapped Peach, you two would come for her - and then you introduced Yoshi and so many other characters into the conflict! Time after time, I left a loophole with which you guys could defeat me, and you always figured it out. One day I realized something, though, and it left me terrified."
"And that was?"
"I wasn't getting anywhere. The back-and-forth exchange was pointless. I was accomplishing nothing. So I poured everything I had into a new scheme - taking over the Sprixie Kingdom. I assumed I could conquer it without your interference. I was mistaken. Even Peach came along and together you all defeated me again! It was then I finally came to terms with the thing I'd been trying to hardest to deny. I've always been wrong, and you've been right. Never once have I had a justifiable reason for putting my troops on the line. Never once has kidnapping Peach resulted in something constructive. I've made myself the enemy of almost every decent person on this planet, and what have I gained? Not power. Not prestige. Not even victory, because I open myself to lose. Certainly not the affection-" At this Bowser stopped cold.
"What were you about to say?" asked Luigi.
"It's meaningless, Luigi," said Bowser, tearing up a second time. "Utterly meaningless. I've helped no one, hurt others, and pursued an empty lifestyle of giving people a hard time because I thought it meant something. I could have had so many more friends, caused so much less trouble. I could have even-"
"No, I mean it. What affection were you talking about?"
Bowser stood uncertain, like someone considering a high dive. After a very long pause, barely breathed out one word.
"Peach's."
"Hold on! What did you just say?"
"Please! I know it would never work - we aren't even the same species. At least I could have been her friend, though - maybe helped defend her from some other attacker. As it is, she hates me, and how can I blame her? Far as she knows, I'm a power-hungry and apparently rather slow villain who seems to exist purely to make life difficult for her. It's no wonder she loves Mario - he's actually done something to deserve it."
"That's not really how love-"
"It's too late to change now, though. I've set this road, and I don't see how I can get off of it. When I heard of the storm I couldn't help myself. A troop told me how the castle collapsed, and I knew the Warp Zone would fail,. When this is all over I'll make sure Peach and Daisy are safe, but they won't know I had anything to do with it. Neither will the Toads. But I can't make you forget - you're still strong, despite all you've been through tonight. You have to promise me, Luigi. No one can know what I've told you. Ever."
"But Bowser..."
"ENOUGH!" roared the Koopa King with more passion than Luigi had ever before heard. Suddenly Kamek appeared in the doorway.
"The storm is dying, my king."
"Then get us back to the Mushroom Castle. You know what to do from there."
"Understood."
Luigi looked at the formidable king. Never had Bowser looked so different, so hopeless, and Luigi wished he knew what to say. Nothing came. They sat in silence, until Bowser seemed to notice Luigi as if for the first time. "Kamek!"
"Yes, my king," replied the Magikoopa from the doorway.
"Get Luigi out of my way." He said this as if angry, but his voice quavered a little as he said it.
"Yes, your majesty."
Without another word Kamek beckoned to Luigi, who followed him into the same room he'd found himself in. The Princesses seemed to be asleep, but the color had returned to their faces. Most of the Toads had dropped asleep as well. Kamek waved his wand, and...
"It's almost unbelievable!" Peach continued as Mario, Yoshi, Luigi, and Daisy sat listening. Imagine Daisy and I and all those Toads having such a similar dream! The castle collapsing, Luigi rescuing Daisy from the pipes, the struggle to the Warp Zone! It's almost uncanny- it felt so real! I don't know what we were reading when we fell asleep but I hope it never happens again! I guess it just goes to show what happens when there's a long enough storm. Imagination goes crazy!" She laughed, and most of the table chuckled with her.
Luigi stretched and stood up. "I have to take a walk."
"Want me to come with-" began Daisy, but Luigi stopped her.
"No, I'm just stretching my legs. Thank you, though."
He walked across the castle drawbridge and towards the road to the Warp Zone.
"Think, Luigi. Could it have been just a dream? It seems so unlikely, but, what other explanation is there? Bowser could not have possibly-" he halted, seeing something unfamiliar on the roadside. Peering closer, Luigi realized it was a masthead from a boat, but its sheer size and familiar horn quickly pointed out its origin. Standing up and taking a long breath, he looked towards Bowser's castle.
"So it really did happen, hey?"
Just then he heard a rustle in the bushes.
"Don't worry, Kamek."
The rustling stopped.
"His secret is safe with me. Tell him one thing, though. Last night, if for just a little while, he really was a hero."
The rustling continued for a little longer, than stopped again. Luigi turned and walked back up the path towards Peach's castle.
"One day maybe they'll know the truth too."
(A new story will start after Thanksgiving)
November 8, 2015
Vol. 4, Ch. 4 - Interception.
"How on earth..." began Toadsworth, but Daisy stopped him.
"Don't try to get me talking just yet. I'm not really strong enough." Having said this, Daisy went unconscious again.
"How did she hold her breath so long?" asked a Toad incredulously.
"She didn't," replied Luigi. "Something tells me she had help. Alright everyone! We can't stay out here- we need shelter, and fast. This storm isn't finished yet!"
"Where do we go?" asked Toadsworth. "We lack transportation, and walking is even more dangerous. Good heavens!"
He said this because Peach had collapsed a second before anyone could notice.
"Okay," said Luigi, shaken but resolute. "We don't have time to lose. Where's the closest Warp Zone?"
"About sixteen yoshisprints!" replied a Toadette.
"Alright. We don't have time to lose. Let's a-go!"
As they began their march, with three Toads carrying Peach and Luigi carrying Daisy, Luigi began calculating the next move to safety. Two Princesses were soaked and unconscious, and the castle staff wasn't much better off. With winds still threatening to turn tornado and the rain hindering every step, they needed to reach shelter - any shelter, if they wanted to have even a chance of avoiding further disaster. The castle, totally collapsed, was not an option, and its isolation meant that only a Warp Zone would get them far away enough from the storm. They would have to warp to whatever area was available, regardless of what that might be. Luigi hoped against hope that the Zone was still intact.
"Steady, old chaps!" cried Toadsworth to some struggling Toads ahead of him. "We'll make it alright now!"
The old Toad's optimistic attitude reassured Luigi. A few yoshisprints, and they'd be safe in Sarasaland, or Yoshi's Island - whichever was easier to reach first. Suddenly he noticed a light up ahead.
"Ho there!" cried Toadsworth. "I say, what's that?"
Luigi paused. He felt sure he'd seen those two orange lights before, but he shuddered to imagine the consequences if his perception was correct.
"Keep moving!" he shouted.
Suddenly with a speed rendered nearly unbelievable by the rain the lights began approaching the group. Luigi gasped.
"Get off the road! For goodness' sake, get off the road!"
It was too late. Only a second later the group was face to face with Bowser's Koopa Clown Car and a gigantic airship. Luigi checked his arsenal. One Fire Flower and a Mushroom were all he had left. There was no way he could withstand Bowser's force. He looked up at the hateful rotund smiling ship.
"Go ahead, Bowser!" he yelled. "Just you try and take 'em!"
At this Bowser suddenly appeared out of the top of his car. At least, it sure seemed like Bowser. This fellow had the horns, hair, spiked shell, and eyes, but for all of that, Luigi hardly recognized the Koopa King. Instead of the triumphant look he should have been wearing, Bowser looked worried- no, panicked. In spite of the rain and the wind, Luigi could see his nemesis was on the verge of tears. The two looked at each other for just a second. Turning around his car, Bowser roared at the airship:
"I've found them! Get them on board!"
"What do you think you're doing, Bowser?!" shouted Luigi.
There was no response. As the airship began descending Luigi saw Kamek standing on the edge of the ships' prow. He wound up his wand and...the group found themselves suddenly in the airship. Luigi darted a look around. The room was being warmed by a fire blazing on the hearth nearby. No guards were present, in fact, it looked more like Peach's kitchen than Bowser's dungeon.
"Luigi!" cried Toadsworth. "What happened?"
Before Luigi could respond the door to the room flew open and Bowser charged into the room.
"Is she alright?" he cried with a choking voice. "Luigi, is she alright? Please tell me she's okay!"
"Don't try to get me talking just yet. I'm not really strong enough." Having said this, Daisy went unconscious again.
"How did she hold her breath so long?" asked a Toad incredulously.
"She didn't," replied Luigi. "Something tells me she had help. Alright everyone! We can't stay out here- we need shelter, and fast. This storm isn't finished yet!"
"Where do we go?" asked Toadsworth. "We lack transportation, and walking is even more dangerous. Good heavens!"
He said this because Peach had collapsed a second before anyone could notice.
"Okay," said Luigi, shaken but resolute. "We don't have time to lose. Where's the closest Warp Zone?"
"About sixteen yoshisprints!" replied a Toadette.
"Alright. We don't have time to lose. Let's a-go!"
As they began their march, with three Toads carrying Peach and Luigi carrying Daisy, Luigi began calculating the next move to safety. Two Princesses were soaked and unconscious, and the castle staff wasn't much better off. With winds still threatening to turn tornado and the rain hindering every step, they needed to reach shelter - any shelter, if they wanted to have even a chance of avoiding further disaster. The castle, totally collapsed, was not an option, and its isolation meant that only a Warp Zone would get them far away enough from the storm. They would have to warp to whatever area was available, regardless of what that might be. Luigi hoped against hope that the Zone was still intact.
"Steady, old chaps!" cried Toadsworth to some struggling Toads ahead of him. "We'll make it alright now!"
The old Toad's optimistic attitude reassured Luigi. A few yoshisprints, and they'd be safe in Sarasaland, or Yoshi's Island - whichever was easier to reach first. Suddenly he noticed a light up ahead.
"Ho there!" cried Toadsworth. "I say, what's that?"
Luigi paused. He felt sure he'd seen those two orange lights before, but he shuddered to imagine the consequences if his perception was correct.
"Keep moving!" he shouted.
Suddenly with a speed rendered nearly unbelievable by the rain the lights began approaching the group. Luigi gasped.
"Get off the road! For goodness' sake, get off the road!"
It was too late. Only a second later the group was face to face with Bowser's Koopa Clown Car and a gigantic airship. Luigi checked his arsenal. One Fire Flower and a Mushroom were all he had left. There was no way he could withstand Bowser's force. He looked up at the hateful rotund smiling ship.
"Go ahead, Bowser!" he yelled. "Just you try and take 'em!"
At this Bowser suddenly appeared out of the top of his car. At least, it sure seemed like Bowser. This fellow had the horns, hair, spiked shell, and eyes, but for all of that, Luigi hardly recognized the Koopa King. Instead of the triumphant look he should have been wearing, Bowser looked worried- no, panicked. In spite of the rain and the wind, Luigi could see his nemesis was on the verge of tears. The two looked at each other for just a second. Turning around his car, Bowser roared at the airship:
"I've found them! Get them on board!"
"What do you think you're doing, Bowser?!" shouted Luigi.
There was no response. As the airship began descending Luigi saw Kamek standing on the edge of the ships' prow. He wound up his wand and...the group found themselves suddenly in the airship. Luigi darted a look around. The room was being warmed by a fire blazing on the hearth nearby. No guards were present, in fact, it looked more like Peach's kitchen than Bowser's dungeon.
"Luigi!" cried Toadsworth. "What happened?"
Before Luigi could respond the door to the room flew open and Bowser charged into the room.
"Is she alright?" he cried with a choking voice. "Luigi, is she alright? Please tell me she's okay!"
(continued later this week)
October 31, 2015
Vol. 4, Ch. 3 - Going Swimmingly.
Daisy had watched everyone else filter out, but before she could herself reach the exit the current caught her and pulled her towards the back of the castle. She glanced around looking for a plant or something she could grow and hold onto, but nothing met her eye. Although not one to panic, at this point it was all she could do to keep from screaming for help. Suddenly she felt a bump and realized the current was pulling her inside the castle plumbing. Quickly she grabbed the edge of the pipe and held on for dear life to avoid getting sucked into the pipe. If she went in, there'd be no coming out alive. Time seemed to slow to a near stop as she held her grip. Finally she couldn't hold her breath any longer, and her hands began to slip.
It had been all of five minutes when Luigi darted back into the basement. Visibility was next to nothing- all he could see were areas he illuminated when he threw balls of ice against the wall, and these only lasted seconds. The current had weakened, but so had the castle- he could hear the walls groaning despite his muffled hearing.
"Peach!" cried a Toad, spluttering and splashing towards the Princess who had just landed in the courtyard. "We've got to get clear of the moat! The whole castle is warping! C'mon!"
"I can't!" replied Peach breathlessly. She stood up facing the castle and the gems on her dresses and crown began to glow. "C'mon, old girl- you can take this!" As she said this she seemed to focus on the castle, eyes closed, fists clenched. "Don't you give up on me now!"
Toadsworth, who had just come running up, pulled the other Toads clear. "It's make or break now, fellows," he said. "If anything distracts Peach now, it's all lost."
To Luigi's surprise the torches in the basement began to glow again, giving him just enough visibility to see Daisy, who had miraculously avoided getting pulled into the main pipe and was lodged between the pipe and a slowly bending wall. Luigi swam to the pipe, fighting the current with all of his might, which, with the aid of his penguin suit, was just enough to keep him clear. Realizing that just pulling Daisy out would certainly cause her to be lost in the current, he instead swam above her and pulled up. She came loose easily- too easily. With one arm he held on to the unconscious Princess as he dashed to the window. Suddenly his vision began to dim - oxygen shortage, he realized. Thirty seconds left.
Peach's gems were beginning to fade. She looked exhausted. "Not yet," she said weakly. "Please not yet."
As Luigi fought to get to the window his motions weakened and he became less and less able to focus. He knew what he had to do but it was becoming increasingly impossible to move. His eyes began to close, hard as he fought to keep them open.
Toadsworth and the others watched Peach nervously. "What's she doing, Toadsworth?" one of them asked.
Toadsworth shook his head sadly. "Losing, old chap. She's losing."
Suddenly Peach, who had bent as if carrying some great weight, suddenly bolted upright. "That-a-girl!" she cried hopefully. "Just a little longer!"
Luigi's eyes blinked back open again. He looked and saw Daisy's gems glowing- but only took a second to consider it before bolting to the surface with more energy than ever before. The staircase...foyer...window...made it! With a sudden rush the two spilled through the window right in front of Peach.
"Luigi..." Peach whispered. "Run."
He looked at Peach, then turned around and looked at the castle, which was going to collapse any second.
"Not leaving you a-here!" he shouted.
"Won't have to. I'm running as soon as you do. Please...run."
He didn't need to be told again. With Daisy in his arm he dashed towards the Toads. A split second later Peach turned around, the gems faded on both princesses, and the castle began to tumble. Peach barely cleared the bridge before the central tower came crumbling on top of it, breaking it to the ground.
They all reached the Toads safely and together placed Daisy on the ground.
"She's got a pulse!" Luigi rejoiced.
"But she isn't breathing!" cried Toadsworth.
All of a sudden Daisy began sputtering and coughing. Everyone watched intently as she slowly opened her eyes. She looked over at Toadsworth and grinned weakly. "Gee, Pops, you sure about that?"
It had been all of five minutes when Luigi darted back into the basement. Visibility was next to nothing- all he could see were areas he illuminated when he threw balls of ice against the wall, and these only lasted seconds. The current had weakened, but so had the castle- he could hear the walls groaning despite his muffled hearing.
"Peach!" cried a Toad, spluttering and splashing towards the Princess who had just landed in the courtyard. "We've got to get clear of the moat! The whole castle is warping! C'mon!"
"I can't!" replied Peach breathlessly. She stood up facing the castle and the gems on her dresses and crown began to glow. "C'mon, old girl- you can take this!" As she said this she seemed to focus on the castle, eyes closed, fists clenched. "Don't you give up on me now!"
Toadsworth, who had just come running up, pulled the other Toads clear. "It's make or break now, fellows," he said. "If anything distracts Peach now, it's all lost."
To Luigi's surprise the torches in the basement began to glow again, giving him just enough visibility to see Daisy, who had miraculously avoided getting pulled into the main pipe and was lodged between the pipe and a slowly bending wall. Luigi swam to the pipe, fighting the current with all of his might, which, with the aid of his penguin suit, was just enough to keep him clear. Realizing that just pulling Daisy out would certainly cause her to be lost in the current, he instead swam above her and pulled up. She came loose easily- too easily. With one arm he held on to the unconscious Princess as he dashed to the window. Suddenly his vision began to dim - oxygen shortage, he realized. Thirty seconds left.
Peach's gems were beginning to fade. She looked exhausted. "Not yet," she said weakly. "Please not yet."
As Luigi fought to get to the window his motions weakened and he became less and less able to focus. He knew what he had to do but it was becoming increasingly impossible to move. His eyes began to close, hard as he fought to keep them open.
Toadsworth and the others watched Peach nervously. "What's she doing, Toadsworth?" one of them asked.
Toadsworth shook his head sadly. "Losing, old chap. She's losing."
Suddenly Peach, who had bent as if carrying some great weight, suddenly bolted upright. "That-a-girl!" she cried hopefully. "Just a little longer!"
Luigi's eyes blinked back open again. He looked and saw Daisy's gems glowing- but only took a second to consider it before bolting to the surface with more energy than ever before. The staircase...foyer...window...made it! With a sudden rush the two spilled through the window right in front of Peach.
"Luigi..." Peach whispered. "Run."
He looked at Peach, then turned around and looked at the castle, which was going to collapse any second.
"Not leaving you a-here!" he shouted.
"Won't have to. I'm running as soon as you do. Please...run."
He didn't need to be told again. With Daisy in his arm he dashed towards the Toads. A split second later Peach turned around, the gems faded on both princesses, and the castle began to tumble. Peach barely cleared the bridge before the central tower came crumbling on top of it, breaking it to the ground.
They all reached the Toads safely and together placed Daisy on the ground.
"She's got a pulse!" Luigi rejoiced.
"But she isn't breathing!" cried Toadsworth.
All of a sudden Daisy began sputtering and coughing. Everyone watched intently as she slowly opened her eyes. She looked over at Toadsworth and grinned weakly. "Gee, Pops, you sure about that?"
(Continued next week)
October 24, 2015
Vol. 4, Ch. 2 - When a Tornado is the Least of the Problems.
"Kind of dark in here," remarked Daisy as she swung the ancient wooden door to the storm shelter open. "It's a little spooky, honestly."
"Don't make so much of it," replied Luigi. "There's nothing spooky about a dark room with thunder and lightning raging outside when the power is out...did I just say those words out loud?"
"Don't make so much of it," Peach said sarcastically.
"On the plus side," said one of the Toads, "We've got a large supply of everything we need to wait as long as is necessary for the weather to calm down."
"What about power?" asked Daisy. "Any way to restore that?"
"I'm afraid not, Princess," replied the Toad. "The last electrical surge couldn't have been more poorly timed- it actually hit just as we were starting the generator, and for some reason the silly thing was charging on basic castle power. A serious electrical overload was the result. Not sure how that happened- it was a pretty blatant oversight. Apologies."
"Not your fault, Toad," Peach sighed. "We can probably light the room well enough with our flashlights and such. As long as we aren't overboard with it, I think we can afford to use the batteries."
"At any rate," said Luigi, "I want a bite to eat. Anyone else?"
"I'm going to have to pass," Daisy replied. "I'm not overly eager to eat canned mushrooms, so I'd rather wait a little longer to see if my self-control can outlast the tornado outside."
"It's a-not mushrooms," began Luigi, but the deafening roar of the wind outside drowned his voice out. Suddenly the castle seemed to lurch forward, and everyone was knocked off their feet.
"Everyone al-" Luigi began to ask, but he was quickly interrupted by a Toad's cry.
"The central inflow pipe has split! Everyone! Get upstairs NOW!"
Instinctively Luigi pulled out his flashlight and aimed it at the basement door, which the occupants began struggling towards as quickly as they could. As water began sloshing around his feet he calculated furiously. The central inflow pipe brought in the vast majority of the castle's water supply- if it split, the basement would be flooded to the ceiling in less than ten seconds. The Toads would be underwater in no more than five seconds, the Princesses and himself, seven, and even if they reached the door in time without the current blowing them all away, the water would soon make its way upstairs. The structural damage caused by the water could make the floor collapse. If it hit with full force, which was almost certain in these weather conditions, the castle would be structurally unstable on all floors within three minutes, and collapse completely within seven. Evacuation was the only chance, but with the entire castle staff in the basement it would take way too long. People would inevitably drown. With the quick eye of a professional he located the main pipe and glanced to the end where the leak had sprung. Nothing he could do about it- even from this distance it was obviously beyond saving.
It took him three seconds to figure all of this. "Everyone!" he yelled. "Swim to the door and get out of the castle! She's not going to withstand this!"
No one needed to be told twice. Donning a Penguin Suit, Luigi treaded water as he watched the slow procession. A few were having trouble holding their breath, so he swam up and down the line giving them Starmen so they could breath a few seconds. After three minutes which seemed like hours Luigi scanned the basement with his slowly failing flashlight to see if anyone was missing, then darted through the door to the top of the water. The first floor was six feet deep in water, and two Toads were desperately yanking at the submerged castle doors in an attempt to get them open. As the water kept rising Luigi looked towards the shattered window.
"That way!" he cried, as the water began bringing them level with the window.
The window was even worse than the door had been. In order to avoid the glass people had to go through single file. Luigi started to repeat the power-up process, but was stopped by Peach, who by now had gathered enough Star Power to create and hold an air bubble just big enough to help anyone who had to catch their breath. In this way everyone managed to pour out of the castle safely enough. When only Peach and Luigi were left, though, Peach asked Luigi the worst question he'd ever heard.
"You saw Daisy, right?"
He glanced at her frantically.
"We have to find her!"
"Sorry, Peach. They need you down there. Ciao." So saying he pushed Peach just to the edge of the outflow through the window, and a second later Peach had dropped gracefully into the courtyard.
"Okay, Luigi." he said, steeling himself. "You've got a princess to rescue. Now's not the time to get cold feet- why, she's not even in another castle!" So saying he glanced through the window at the heavens for just a second. Then he plunged into the water and towards the basement.
"Don't make so much of it," replied Luigi. "There's nothing spooky about a dark room with thunder and lightning raging outside when the power is out...did I just say those words out loud?"
"Don't make so much of it," Peach said sarcastically.
"On the plus side," said one of the Toads, "We've got a large supply of everything we need to wait as long as is necessary for the weather to calm down."
"What about power?" asked Daisy. "Any way to restore that?"
"I'm afraid not, Princess," replied the Toad. "The last electrical surge couldn't have been more poorly timed- it actually hit just as we were starting the generator, and for some reason the silly thing was charging on basic castle power. A serious electrical overload was the result. Not sure how that happened- it was a pretty blatant oversight. Apologies."
"Not your fault, Toad," Peach sighed. "We can probably light the room well enough with our flashlights and such. As long as we aren't overboard with it, I think we can afford to use the batteries."
"At any rate," said Luigi, "I want a bite to eat. Anyone else?"
"I'm going to have to pass," Daisy replied. "I'm not overly eager to eat canned mushrooms, so I'd rather wait a little longer to see if my self-control can outlast the tornado outside."
"It's a-not mushrooms," began Luigi, but the deafening roar of the wind outside drowned his voice out. Suddenly the castle seemed to lurch forward, and everyone was knocked off their feet.
"Everyone al-" Luigi began to ask, but he was quickly interrupted by a Toad's cry.
"The central inflow pipe has split! Everyone! Get upstairs NOW!"
Instinctively Luigi pulled out his flashlight and aimed it at the basement door, which the occupants began struggling towards as quickly as they could. As water began sloshing around his feet he calculated furiously. The central inflow pipe brought in the vast majority of the castle's water supply- if it split, the basement would be flooded to the ceiling in less than ten seconds. The Toads would be underwater in no more than five seconds, the Princesses and himself, seven, and even if they reached the door in time without the current blowing them all away, the water would soon make its way upstairs. The structural damage caused by the water could make the floor collapse. If it hit with full force, which was almost certain in these weather conditions, the castle would be structurally unstable on all floors within three minutes, and collapse completely within seven. Evacuation was the only chance, but with the entire castle staff in the basement it would take way too long. People would inevitably drown. With the quick eye of a professional he located the main pipe and glanced to the end where the leak had sprung. Nothing he could do about it- even from this distance it was obviously beyond saving.
It took him three seconds to figure all of this. "Everyone!" he yelled. "Swim to the door and get out of the castle! She's not going to withstand this!"
No one needed to be told twice. Donning a Penguin Suit, Luigi treaded water as he watched the slow procession. A few were having trouble holding their breath, so he swam up and down the line giving them Starmen so they could breath a few seconds. After three minutes which seemed like hours Luigi scanned the basement with his slowly failing flashlight to see if anyone was missing, then darted through the door to the top of the water. The first floor was six feet deep in water, and two Toads were desperately yanking at the submerged castle doors in an attempt to get them open. As the water kept rising Luigi looked towards the shattered window.
"That way!" he cried, as the water began bringing them level with the window.
The window was even worse than the door had been. In order to avoid the glass people had to go through single file. Luigi started to repeat the power-up process, but was stopped by Peach, who by now had gathered enough Star Power to create and hold an air bubble just big enough to help anyone who had to catch their breath. In this way everyone managed to pour out of the castle safely enough. When only Peach and Luigi were left, though, Peach asked Luigi the worst question he'd ever heard.
"You saw Daisy, right?"
He glanced at her frantically.
"We have to find her!"
"Sorry, Peach. They need you down there. Ciao." So saying he pushed Peach just to the edge of the outflow through the window, and a second later Peach had dropped gracefully into the courtyard.
"Okay, Luigi." he said, steeling himself. "You've got a princess to rescue. Now's not the time to get cold feet- why, she's not even in another castle!" So saying he glanced through the window at the heavens for just a second. Then he plunged into the water and towards the basement.
Continued next week.
October 17, 2015
Vol. 4, Ch. 1 - Weather You Like It or Not.
"Is it baseball season yet?" asked Luigi, staring out the window with Princesses Peach and Daisy. Thunder roared outside as the rain pelted the castle with a show of unusual force.
"Not yet, L," replied Daisy.
"L?"
"Not cool with that nickname?"
"Well, I can live with it if I have to." he smiled. "Again, though, I repeat, is it baseball season yet?"
"Afraid not," replied a Toad standing nearby. "The weather is rather prohibitive of baseball starting anytime soon."
"Why not just play on an indoor court?" asked Daisy.
"Because," replied Peach dryly, "There was a power outage two days ago that took out the generators that kept the ice machine in Peach Dome running, and as a result the whole place is being repaired for flood damage."
"Well, couldn't we play somewhere else?" asked Luigi.
"Like where? The only other indoor venue is Bowser's castle, and I have some objections to playing there."
They sat in silence for a moment, then jumped as a gale began rattling the windows on the castle.
"Toad," began Peach, "We're officially on tornado watch. Please take the appropriate steps."
"Of course, Princess."
"Tornado watch?" asked Daisy. "Since when does the Mushroom Kingdom have tornadoes?"
"Not for a very long time, Daisy...but I have a feeling that-"
She was interrupted by the crash of broken glass.
"Look out!" cried Luigi, jumping in front of the Princesses. The lights went out and it was pitch black for a moment before Luigi pulled out his flashlight.
"Everyone alright?" he asked, shining it around. The stained glass window over the castle entrance had shattered into thousands of pieces, but no one had been hit by the glass.
"We're okay," replied Daisy. "Right, Peach? Peach?"
"Right here! Everything's fine, I just...had to catch my breath. Whew! Mario and Yoshi must be really glad to be out of town right now!"
"Well since they went to visit a tropical island, I'm inclined to agree," replied Daisy.
"This storm doesn't seem like it's going to let up, Princesses. Perhaps we should head to the storm shelter in the basement."
"I would advise this, Princess," began a Toad. "The Wind-O-Measure reports wind speeds in excess of 180 yoshipaces per second.
"What about this mess?"
"Nothing we can do about that right now, Peach," said Daisy. "Besides, if another window blows we could be in trouble. C'mon, we better get moving. We're plenty well-stocked down there. Let's move."
"Alright," said Peach reluctantly. "Have everyone in the castle come to the shelter downstairs, Toad."
"Will do, Princess."
"Well...seems like we've got quite a long night in front of us," Peach remarked as the Toad walked away.
"If it helps, I brought a card game," said Daisy.
"Yeah," said Luigi. I don't know if the lighting will be good for playing it, though.
"...Right."
"Sorry."
"Well there's no point in me getting stormy about it, right?" Daisy smiled.
"Shelter now, puns after." Peach grinned. "We've got a lot to-"
Her words were drowned out by another blast of wind.
"Not yet, L," replied Daisy.
"L?"
"Not cool with that nickname?"
"Well, I can live with it if I have to." he smiled. "Again, though, I repeat, is it baseball season yet?"
"Afraid not," replied a Toad standing nearby. "The weather is rather prohibitive of baseball starting anytime soon."
"Why not just play on an indoor court?" asked Daisy.
"Because," replied Peach dryly, "There was a power outage two days ago that took out the generators that kept the ice machine in Peach Dome running, and as a result the whole place is being repaired for flood damage."
"Well, couldn't we play somewhere else?" asked Luigi.
"Like where? The only other indoor venue is Bowser's castle, and I have some objections to playing there."
They sat in silence for a moment, then jumped as a gale began rattling the windows on the castle.
"Toad," began Peach, "We're officially on tornado watch. Please take the appropriate steps."
"Of course, Princess."
"Tornado watch?" asked Daisy. "Since when does the Mushroom Kingdom have tornadoes?"
"Not for a very long time, Daisy...but I have a feeling that-"
She was interrupted by the crash of broken glass.
"Look out!" cried Luigi, jumping in front of the Princesses. The lights went out and it was pitch black for a moment before Luigi pulled out his flashlight.
"Everyone alright?" he asked, shining it around. The stained glass window over the castle entrance had shattered into thousands of pieces, but no one had been hit by the glass.
"We're okay," replied Daisy. "Right, Peach? Peach?"
"Right here! Everything's fine, I just...had to catch my breath. Whew! Mario and Yoshi must be really glad to be out of town right now!"
"Well since they went to visit a tropical island, I'm inclined to agree," replied Daisy.
"This storm doesn't seem like it's going to let up, Princesses. Perhaps we should head to the storm shelter in the basement."
"I would advise this, Princess," began a Toad. "The Wind-O-Measure reports wind speeds in excess of 180 yoshipaces per second.
"What about this mess?"
"Nothing we can do about that right now, Peach," said Daisy. "Besides, if another window blows we could be in trouble. C'mon, we better get moving. We're plenty well-stocked down there. Let's move."
"Alright," said Peach reluctantly. "Have everyone in the castle come to the shelter downstairs, Toad."
"Will do, Princess."
"Well...seems like we've got quite a long night in front of us," Peach remarked as the Toad walked away.
"If it helps, I brought a card game," said Daisy.
"Yeah," said Luigi. I don't know if the lighting will be good for playing it, though.
"...Right."
"Sorry."
"Well there's no point in me getting stormy about it, right?" Daisy smiled.
"Shelter now, puns after." Peach grinned. "We've got a lot to-"
Her words were drowned out by another blast of wind.
October 11, 2015
Vol. 3, Ch. 7 - Daisy! Daisy!
"Remember", said the Professor to the now invisible trio, "Your invisibility will only last a few hours. By that time you need to have figured out how to...oh, forget it. You know what to do."
"Thank you, Professor," replied Peach. "See you soon."
"Great...just great!" Yoshi complained to himself. "Daisy's locked up, I'm trapped, and Bowser's probably gloating gleefully all over Sarasaland! Why on earth did I come here? She probably would have been fine in a few hours- now we're both in trouble!"
"I wouldn't say it's as bad as all that," said a familiar Italian voice.
"Luigi!"
"Shh....I don't need everyone to know I'm here. I'm about to let you out, then I'm a-going to jump on your back. You won't be able to see me, okay?"
"You mean-"
"No time for questions. We need to find Daisy. Bowser wants to start a fight. We're trying to avoid one."
"Gotcha. Oh! That's much less cramped. Thank you."
"Ala-ways a pleasure. Peach and Mario are searching the upstairs dungeon. We'll head downstairs."
Yoshi nodded and they began their search. It didn't take long to reach the door to the dungeon, but the key was nowhere in sight.
"This is no good," Luigi said. "How are we supposed to get in to the dungeon if the guard took the key?"
"Perhaps you don't need to get in at all!" said Daisy from the other side of the door.
"So you are in there! Thank goodness we found you!"
"Good to hear you too, Yoshi. Don't blame yourself, by the way...I know you were, and it's not your fault. We were both a little careless. Uh, Luigi, you're a little hard to see"
"You can say that aga-" began Yoshi.
"But not here!" Luigi interrupted, as the steps of a Koopa Kid sounded louder and louder on the stair and it's complaining voice became louder and louder.
"'Check the dungeon', he said! 'I'm sure I heard something', he said! Bah! There's nothing to see he-yeow! How did you-"
He didn't get to finish the sentence as Yoshi snagged him with his tongue, but the noise from inside Yoshi's mouth was still formidable.
"It won't take long for them to send some troops after him," said Daisy. If we're going to get out we've gotta do it now."
"We'll have to drop the subtle approach, then. Stand clear, Princess. Yoshi...now!"
"They've found someone! Or been found!" cried Peach as she and Mario both heard the sound of heavy clanging and Goombas rushing downstairs. The duo hurried after them and found Yoshi standing beside a severely damaged yet still intact door surrounded by Goombas.
"Not a moment to lose, Mario!"
"Yahoo!"
If the noise didn't frighten the Goombas, than the invisible attacks from Cat Mario and Peach certainly did. In the midst of the confusion Yoshi and Luigi wrenched the door free, and as Daisy came out, Yoshi spat the Koopa Kid in. They made their retreat as the Goombas scrambled to reorganize, and by the time things had quieted down, they were on the castle courtyard dashing to the nearest Warp Pipe.
"I must be dreaming," said Daisy. "First I'm invisible, now my friends are! Is this ever going to stop?"
"Sure it is!" said Peach, becoming visible as she said it. "There wasn't much longer to wait at all, apparently. Let's finish talking about it when we reach my house though, okay?"
Twenty minutes later they were back in Peach's foyer. Mario and Luigi relaxed with pasta while Yoshi munched a fruit salad and the two Princesses enjoyed some coffee. The Professor looked on disapprovingly- "It was supposed to last much longer!" he kept muttering.
"So that's the story, then?" asked Luigi after Daisy had finished recounting the day's events from her perspective.
"Pretty much, yeah." replied Daisy.
"Not exactly something that happens all the time."
"Thank goodness for that! All because I got bored! For heaven's sake, if you ever catch me even starting, don't, under any circumstances, let me say "I wish something would ha-"
"Stop!" cried out Yoshi in mock desperation, and they all broke down laughing.
"Of course," added Peach, "Bowser's probably infuriated."
"Yes." replied Mario with a nod.
"You don't sound worried."
"No."
"Come now, Mario! Doesn't any of this stuff ever bother you? You sometimes act like it's all just a game!"
"You do seem pretty unconcerned. Almost like you know everything will work out every time," remarked Daisy.
"Well," said Luigi, "He does have a pretty solid precedent. Eh, Bro?"
Mario took off his hat and smiled. "Thank you so much for playing my game."
An hour later, everyone had gone to the courtyard for a stroll, but Mario and Yoshi stayed behind.
"Mario?"
"Yes?"
"You never answered the question. How come you always seem so calm? I know you care about what happens, but you never seem to be concerned until something actually does? Why?"
Mario shrugged. "It's not that I don't care, Yoshi. I'm just not worried. I see so many people who worry all the time, but I've realized that if I talk little and worry less, things usually work out. Besides," he smiled, "I have a few friends who hear me talk a little more, right?"
Yoshi glanced affectionately at the plumber. "Yeah, you're right. Still, it's nice to hear you say it. Let's go outside, huh?"
"Okey-dokey."
"Thank you, Professor," replied Peach. "See you soon."
"Great...just great!" Yoshi complained to himself. "Daisy's locked up, I'm trapped, and Bowser's probably gloating gleefully all over Sarasaland! Why on earth did I come here? She probably would have been fine in a few hours- now we're both in trouble!"
"I wouldn't say it's as bad as all that," said a familiar Italian voice.
"Luigi!"
"Shh....I don't need everyone to know I'm here. I'm about to let you out, then I'm a-going to jump on your back. You won't be able to see me, okay?"
"You mean-"
"No time for questions. We need to find Daisy. Bowser wants to start a fight. We're trying to avoid one."
"Gotcha. Oh! That's much less cramped. Thank you."
"Ala-ways a pleasure. Peach and Mario are searching the upstairs dungeon. We'll head downstairs."
Yoshi nodded and they began their search. It didn't take long to reach the door to the dungeon, but the key was nowhere in sight.
"This is no good," Luigi said. "How are we supposed to get in to the dungeon if the guard took the key?"
"Perhaps you don't need to get in at all!" said Daisy from the other side of the door.
"So you are in there! Thank goodness we found you!"
"Good to hear you too, Yoshi. Don't blame yourself, by the way...I know you were, and it's not your fault. We were both a little careless. Uh, Luigi, you're a little hard to see"
"You can say that aga-" began Yoshi.
"But not here!" Luigi interrupted, as the steps of a Koopa Kid sounded louder and louder on the stair and it's complaining voice became louder and louder.
"'Check the dungeon', he said! 'I'm sure I heard something', he said! Bah! There's nothing to see he-yeow! How did you-"
He didn't get to finish the sentence as Yoshi snagged him with his tongue, but the noise from inside Yoshi's mouth was still formidable.
"It won't take long for them to send some troops after him," said Daisy. If we're going to get out we've gotta do it now."
"We'll have to drop the subtle approach, then. Stand clear, Princess. Yoshi...now!"
"They've found someone! Or been found!" cried Peach as she and Mario both heard the sound of heavy clanging and Goombas rushing downstairs. The duo hurried after them and found Yoshi standing beside a severely damaged yet still intact door surrounded by Goombas.
"Not a moment to lose, Mario!"
"Yahoo!"
If the noise didn't frighten the Goombas, than the invisible attacks from Cat Mario and Peach certainly did. In the midst of the confusion Yoshi and Luigi wrenched the door free, and as Daisy came out, Yoshi spat the Koopa Kid in. They made their retreat as the Goombas scrambled to reorganize, and by the time things had quieted down, they were on the castle courtyard dashing to the nearest Warp Pipe.
"I must be dreaming," said Daisy. "First I'm invisible, now my friends are! Is this ever going to stop?"
"Sure it is!" said Peach, becoming visible as she said it. "There wasn't much longer to wait at all, apparently. Let's finish talking about it when we reach my house though, okay?"
Twenty minutes later they were back in Peach's foyer. Mario and Luigi relaxed with pasta while Yoshi munched a fruit salad and the two Princesses enjoyed some coffee. The Professor looked on disapprovingly- "It was supposed to last much longer!" he kept muttering.
"So that's the story, then?" asked Luigi after Daisy had finished recounting the day's events from her perspective.
"Pretty much, yeah." replied Daisy.
"Not exactly something that happens all the time."
"Thank goodness for that! All because I got bored! For heaven's sake, if you ever catch me even starting, don't, under any circumstances, let me say "I wish something would ha-"
"Stop!" cried out Yoshi in mock desperation, and they all broke down laughing.
"Of course," added Peach, "Bowser's probably infuriated."
"Yes." replied Mario with a nod.
"You don't sound worried."
"No."
"Come now, Mario! Doesn't any of this stuff ever bother you? You sometimes act like it's all just a game!"
"You do seem pretty unconcerned. Almost like you know everything will work out every time," remarked Daisy.
"Well," said Luigi, "He does have a pretty solid precedent. Eh, Bro?"
Mario took off his hat and smiled. "Thank you so much for playing my game."
An hour later, everyone had gone to the courtyard for a stroll, but Mario and Yoshi stayed behind.
"Mario?"
"Yes?"
"You never answered the question. How come you always seem so calm? I know you care about what happens, but you never seem to be concerned until something actually does? Why?"
Mario shrugged. "It's not that I don't care, Yoshi. I'm just not worried. I see so many people who worry all the time, but I've realized that if I talk little and worry less, things usually work out. Besides," he smiled, "I have a few friends who hear me talk a little more, right?"
Yoshi glanced affectionately at the plumber. "Yeah, you're right. Still, it's nice to hear you say it. Let's go outside, huh?"
"Okey-dokey."
A new story will begin this week.
October 3, 2015
Vol. 3, Ch. 6 - Disaster Reverted.
Bowser Jr. was a little disappointed to see the Mario Bros. standing where he'd expected to find the princess.
"What gives, Luigi? Why're you here? Shouldn't you be at home doing something productive?"
"If you must know, BJ, I've been enjoying the view," replied Luigi placidly.
"No point in playing games! Where's the Princess?"
By this time Peach and the Professor had both hidden in different areas of the castle. The Toad Brigade was armed and ready - waiting on Mario's orders. Only he hoped he wouldn't have to give any.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Luigi continued.
"I could launch a full-scale castle invasion."
Mario chuckled a little at hearing this, much to Bowser Jr.'s chagrin.
"Whaddaya laughing at?" he demanded.
"You've lost the element of surprise!" Luigi said. "Think about it. We know you're here and prepared for an onslaught. Both Mario Bros. are already here. Half the Koopa Troop is held up at the bridge. Where is your advantage?"
Bowser Jr. paused, a little uncertain, then made eye contact with Mario, who wore an expression of extreme determination. This wouldn't be an easy fight for the Koopa Troop even if they won. His musing was interrupted, however, by the sound of a familiar airship.
"Hi, Dad!"
Mario, meanwhile, had been calculating. The Toad Brigade was skilled, but it could only keep Bowser's troops back for so long. The Princess would need to clear the castle or else remain hidden in order to avoid capture. Although she was invisible, she wouldn't be forever. The best thing was to get her out of there as soon as possible. He shook his head at Luigi, who nodded back and sauntered casually away to find the Princess. One of many nice things about having a younger brother was his ability to understand him. Peach would be safe. Now all Mario had to handle was damage control.
Bowser Jr. was also planning. "Dad? I know you wanted to kidnap Peach and all, but we weren't really counting on Mario being here. I think maybe you should change your approach. Why not just tell him you have Daisy and Yoshi?"
"It wouldn't matter to him. We need Peach to really get Mario's attention."
"I don't think so...at any rate, can't we at least try it my way?"
"Alright, son. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. If it fails we'll storm the castle."
So saying he turned to face his nemesis once again. "Mario! GWAHAHAHA! You've been such a staunch defender of the Mushroom Kingdom for years on end. Truly outstanding heroics, and it's not the only kingdom you've defended! For all of that I'm sure I join all the citizens of Sarasaland when I say 'Thank you, Mario! But our princess is in another castle!'"
So saying he whipped out a photograph of Daisy and Yoshi in his dungeon and hurled it in Mario's direction.
"Mama-Mia." Mario shook his head.
"That's it, Dad. He'll come."
"Fall back!"
As the Koopa Troop moved away Mario stared at the photograph.
"They're gone?" asked Luigi and Peach, who hadn't yet left the castle when they saw Bowser leaving. Mario showed them the picture.
"We can't just leave her, Mario!" cried Luigi. "We have to get her out!"
"He knows that, Luigi. He just can't believe Bowser went all this way to pick a fight. Well, I have a pretty large collection of Super Bells left in my closet. Shall we play a game?"
"Princess, you're still invisible!" cried the Professor. "You can't go on any adventures!"
"Of course I can. I am the Princess. Furthermore I'm not letting my friend rot in a dungeon. Invisibility is our advantage. We'll all go invisible. What say you, Mario Bros?
The duo exchanged just a brief glance, Mario questioning, Luigi confirming.
"Let's a-go!"
"What gives, Luigi? Why're you here? Shouldn't you be at home doing something productive?"
"If you must know, BJ, I've been enjoying the view," replied Luigi placidly.
"No point in playing games! Where's the Princess?"
By this time Peach and the Professor had both hidden in different areas of the castle. The Toad Brigade was armed and ready - waiting on Mario's orders. Only he hoped he wouldn't have to give any.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Luigi continued.
"I could launch a full-scale castle invasion."
Mario chuckled a little at hearing this, much to Bowser Jr.'s chagrin.
"Whaddaya laughing at?" he demanded.
"You've lost the element of surprise!" Luigi said. "Think about it. We know you're here and prepared for an onslaught. Both Mario Bros. are already here. Half the Koopa Troop is held up at the bridge. Where is your advantage?"
Bowser Jr. paused, a little uncertain, then made eye contact with Mario, who wore an expression of extreme determination. This wouldn't be an easy fight for the Koopa Troop even if they won. His musing was interrupted, however, by the sound of a familiar airship.
"Hi, Dad!"
Mario, meanwhile, had been calculating. The Toad Brigade was skilled, but it could only keep Bowser's troops back for so long. The Princess would need to clear the castle or else remain hidden in order to avoid capture. Although she was invisible, she wouldn't be forever. The best thing was to get her out of there as soon as possible. He shook his head at Luigi, who nodded back and sauntered casually away to find the Princess. One of many nice things about having a younger brother was his ability to understand him. Peach would be safe. Now all Mario had to handle was damage control.
Bowser Jr. was also planning. "Dad? I know you wanted to kidnap Peach and all, but we weren't really counting on Mario being here. I think maybe you should change your approach. Why not just tell him you have Daisy and Yoshi?"
"It wouldn't matter to him. We need Peach to really get Mario's attention."
"I don't think so...at any rate, can't we at least try it my way?"
"Alright, son. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. If it fails we'll storm the castle."
So saying he turned to face his nemesis once again. "Mario! GWAHAHAHA! You've been such a staunch defender of the Mushroom Kingdom for years on end. Truly outstanding heroics, and it's not the only kingdom you've defended! For all of that I'm sure I join all the citizens of Sarasaland when I say 'Thank you, Mario! But our princess is in another castle!'"
So saying he whipped out a photograph of Daisy and Yoshi in his dungeon and hurled it in Mario's direction.
"Mama-Mia." Mario shook his head.
"That's it, Dad. He'll come."
"Fall back!"
As the Koopa Troop moved away Mario stared at the photograph.
"They're gone?" asked Luigi and Peach, who hadn't yet left the castle when they saw Bowser leaving. Mario showed them the picture.
"We can't just leave her, Mario!" cried Luigi. "We have to get her out!"
"He knows that, Luigi. He just can't believe Bowser went all this way to pick a fight. Well, I have a pretty large collection of Super Bells left in my closet. Shall we play a game?"
"Princess, you're still invisible!" cried the Professor. "You can't go on any adventures!"
"Of course I can. I am the Princess. Furthermore I'm not letting my friend rot in a dungeon. Invisibility is our advantage. We'll all go invisible. What say you, Mario Bros?
The duo exchanged just a brief glance, Mario questioning, Luigi confirming.
"Let's a-go!"
September 26, 2015
Vol. 3, Ch. 5 - Puns, Princesses, and the Pursuit of Snappiness.
"ser", Yoshi finished as the two of them found themselves facing the Koopa King.
"BWAHAHAHA! I have you now...the wrong people! Daisy, Yoshi, what in the name of Wiggler are you doing here?"
"Thought you knew, Bowser, since it was your black hole that dropped us in your courtyard in your castle in front of you," replied Daisy acridly.
"No doubt about any of that! But, I never see you here! What brought you to my kingdom?"
"A vanishing plant, Bowser," replied Yoshi.
"WHAAAT!?!" roared the enraged royalty. "HOW DARE -wait...that makes no sense!"
"It's true, though. Unfortunately, I'll never have time to explain because of two things. One, I have to leave, and, two, you haven't given me a chance to talk."
"Your arrogance is so very much like you, Yoshi! To think, Yoshis and Koopas could have had an invincible alliance...if not for-"
"The fact that the Koopa Kingdom is a Konglomeration of Korruption lacking Kredibility or Klass" interrupted Daisy.
"Very funny. The joke's on you, though! You spelled that sentence incorrectly!"
"We're really getting off subject, Bowser," Yoshi interposed.
"Fine. Since you'll be here for a while anyways, how about explaining why you stepped foot into my domain?"
"Well," began Daisy, "It began with a vanishing plant that-"
"Yes, you mentioned that already. AND...?"
"And assuming you stop interrupting I'll explain how it got there."
At this point, however, Bowser wasn't listening. He already had other things on his mind. Here he had one Princess imprisoned in his castle, and she had basically volunteered! He also had Mario's best friend- this could be the chance for the showdown of the ages! Only problem- he still didn't have Peach. Mario wouldn't come if the Mushroom Princess was still safe at home. No...he needed the Peach if Mario were to show. So were the Koopa King's thoughts as Daisy told her tale.
"Enough! I couldn't really care less about why you're here. I just wanted you to talk so the court stenographer...WHO ISN'T HERE...worthless Koopa Kids...anyways, whatever! Thank you for the opportunity!"
"What opportunity?!" asked a fully frustrated Daisy.
"The opportunity for a showdown! Now I only need Peach!"
"Bowser!" cried Yoshi. "Why in the world does Peach even have anything to do with this?"
"None of your business, Yoshi! Now get in an egg where you belong!"
At which saying he trapped the unfortunate Yoshi and placed a Hammer Bro at guard.
"As for you," he said, turning to Daisy, "Do you prefer towers or basements?"
"Oh, Bowser...you really never learn, do you?"
"I have a healthy disregard for stupid lessons."
"Like the ones you've ignored for...how long?"
"As long as has been necessary."
"Shoulda figured you'd say that."
"Guards...take Daisy somewhere she'll be comfortable."
"Um...I'm not letting your goons just carry me out, Bowser!"
"I could always slingshot Yoshi into my moat."
"Fine, fine! Don't be so..."
"Clever?"
"NOT the word I was going to use."
As Daisy was led to her dungeon and Bowser began planning, Mario and Luigi were spending a not-so-quiet day at Peach's castle, watching the great Professor Elvin Gadd demonstrate his latest discoveries.
"You will observe, lady and gentlemen," he said, holding up what looked like a Roman candle combined with a ShopVac, "that this device can fire at a range of over 3000 yards!"
"That's wonderful, Professor," answered Luigi, "But what does it actually do?"
"Do? Ah, such a practical fellow, Luigi! Why, but of course, it turns things invisible! Powered by the rare and fascinating vanishing plant, it renders the target completely imperceptible to the world! The original plant would also render a person inaudible, but I determined how to negate that effect, making this device perfect for hiding people you don't want to see!"
"I can't think of anyone I wouldn't want to see," replied Peach.
"Except, Bowser, perhaps?" replied Gadd.
"Well, I like to be able to see him so I know when he's up to something."
E. Gadd shook his head sadly. "Ah, you kids never know the wonders of technology until someone puts it into the palm of your hand. I will demonstrate the device's effectiveness for you, however! Observe the supporting pillar 100 feet away! I will now render it invisible!"
With this he fired a shot of light, and the pillar disappeared.
"Wow," said Mario.
"You see!" cried the excited scientist, "Even Mario is impressed. Tell me this device has no practical value and I shall eat my glasses!"
"Um..." began the Princess, but before she could gently explain that there really was no practical value in the device, they heard an annoying laugh.
"I see they sent the advance guard," said Luigi.
"This can only mean that Bowser has some evil plan!" announced the Professor.
"Yes," replied Peach, "I think we can safely conclude that. Lock the castle down. I'm really in no mood for burnt steak again tonight."
Mario looked outside. Bowser Jr. was leading the Koopa Troop towards Peach's castle. The drawbridge would keep the ground forces out, but the flying troops would be in sooner than he could say "Mama-Mia." Perhaps the Professor's device had a point after all.
"Mario? Aren't you going to do something?" asked Luigi. "The Koopa Troop is coming. What's the plan?"
He followed his brother's gaze to E. Gadd's device. "You mean..."
"Yes."
"Okay. You sure you know what you're doing?"
"Oh, it's perfectly safe!" interjected the Professor. "No harm will come to Peach at all!"
"Will it wear off, though?" asked Peach.
"Yes, after a few hours, I believe. Alright Mario, go ahead."
"Here we go!"
Mario fired the beam and the Princess vanished. A second later they could all hear Bowser Jr. laughing outside the window.
"Peach?" asked Luigi.
"Right here. So begins the castle defense. You've got this, guys."
Mario smiled. "Okie-dokie!"
"BWAHAHAHA! I have you now...the wrong people! Daisy, Yoshi, what in the name of Wiggler are you doing here?"
"Thought you knew, Bowser, since it was your black hole that dropped us in your courtyard in your castle in front of you," replied Daisy acridly.
"No doubt about any of that! But, I never see you here! What brought you to my kingdom?"
"A vanishing plant, Bowser," replied Yoshi.
"WHAAAT!?!" roared the enraged royalty. "HOW DARE -wait...that makes no sense!"
"It's true, though. Unfortunately, I'll never have time to explain because of two things. One, I have to leave, and, two, you haven't given me a chance to talk."
"Your arrogance is so very much like you, Yoshi! To think, Yoshis and Koopas could have had an invincible alliance...if not for-"
"The fact that the Koopa Kingdom is a Konglomeration of Korruption lacking Kredibility or Klass" interrupted Daisy.
"Very funny. The joke's on you, though! You spelled that sentence incorrectly!"
"We're really getting off subject, Bowser," Yoshi interposed.
"Fine. Since you'll be here for a while anyways, how about explaining why you stepped foot into my domain?"
"Well," began Daisy, "It began with a vanishing plant that-"
"Yes, you mentioned that already. AND...?"
"And assuming you stop interrupting I'll explain how it got there."
At this point, however, Bowser wasn't listening. He already had other things on his mind. Here he had one Princess imprisoned in his castle, and she had basically volunteered! He also had Mario's best friend- this could be the chance for the showdown of the ages! Only problem- he still didn't have Peach. Mario wouldn't come if the Mushroom Princess was still safe at home. No...he needed the Peach if Mario were to show. So were the Koopa King's thoughts as Daisy told her tale.
"Enough! I couldn't really care less about why you're here. I just wanted you to talk so the court stenographer...WHO ISN'T HERE...worthless Koopa Kids...anyways, whatever! Thank you for the opportunity!"
"What opportunity?!" asked a fully frustrated Daisy.
"The opportunity for a showdown! Now I only need Peach!"
"Bowser!" cried Yoshi. "Why in the world does Peach even have anything to do with this?"
"None of your business, Yoshi! Now get in an egg where you belong!"
At which saying he trapped the unfortunate Yoshi and placed a Hammer Bro at guard.
"As for you," he said, turning to Daisy, "Do you prefer towers or basements?"
"Oh, Bowser...you really never learn, do you?"
"I have a healthy disregard for stupid lessons."
"Like the ones you've ignored for...how long?"
"As long as has been necessary."
"Shoulda figured you'd say that."
"Guards...take Daisy somewhere she'll be comfortable."
"Um...I'm not letting your goons just carry me out, Bowser!"
"I could always slingshot Yoshi into my moat."
"Fine, fine! Don't be so..."
"Clever?"
"NOT the word I was going to use."
As Daisy was led to her dungeon and Bowser began planning, Mario and Luigi were spending a not-so-quiet day at Peach's castle, watching the great Professor Elvin Gadd demonstrate his latest discoveries.
"You will observe, lady and gentlemen," he said, holding up what looked like a Roman candle combined with a ShopVac, "that this device can fire at a range of over 3000 yards!"
"That's wonderful, Professor," answered Luigi, "But what does it actually do?"
"Do? Ah, such a practical fellow, Luigi! Why, but of course, it turns things invisible! Powered by the rare and fascinating vanishing plant, it renders the target completely imperceptible to the world! The original plant would also render a person inaudible, but I determined how to negate that effect, making this device perfect for hiding people you don't want to see!"
"I can't think of anyone I wouldn't want to see," replied Peach.
"Except, Bowser, perhaps?" replied Gadd.
"Well, I like to be able to see him so I know when he's up to something."
E. Gadd shook his head sadly. "Ah, you kids never know the wonders of technology until someone puts it into the palm of your hand. I will demonstrate the device's effectiveness for you, however! Observe the supporting pillar 100 feet away! I will now render it invisible!"
With this he fired a shot of light, and the pillar disappeared.
"Wow," said Mario.
"You see!" cried the excited scientist, "Even Mario is impressed. Tell me this device has no practical value and I shall eat my glasses!"
"Um..." began the Princess, but before she could gently explain that there really was no practical value in the device, they heard an annoying laugh.
"I see they sent the advance guard," said Luigi.
"This can only mean that Bowser has some evil plan!" announced the Professor.
"Yes," replied Peach, "I think we can safely conclude that. Lock the castle down. I'm really in no mood for burnt steak again tonight."
Mario looked outside. Bowser Jr. was leading the Koopa Troop towards Peach's castle. The drawbridge would keep the ground forces out, but the flying troops would be in sooner than he could say "Mama-Mia." Perhaps the Professor's device had a point after all.
"Mario? Aren't you going to do something?" asked Luigi. "The Koopa Troop is coming. What's the plan?"
He followed his brother's gaze to E. Gadd's device. "You mean..."
"Yes."
"Okay. You sure you know what you're doing?"
"Oh, it's perfectly safe!" interjected the Professor. "No harm will come to Peach at all!"
"Will it wear off, though?" asked Peach.
"Yes, after a few hours, I believe. Alright Mario, go ahead."
"Here we go!"
Mario fired the beam and the Princess vanished. A second later they could all hear Bowser Jr. laughing outside the window.
"Peach?" asked Luigi.
"Right here. So begins the castle defense. You've got this, guys."
Mario smiled. "Okie-dokie!"
Continued next week
September 19, 2015
Vol. 3, Ch. 4 - Standby for Beanstalks.
"We both know you're bluffing, Ludwig," said Yoshi defiantly. "You couldn't hurt me if you tried."
"Is that a challenge?"
"I happen to be here doing nothing of harm to anyone. Why stop me in the first place?"
Daisy noticed that as Yoshi spoke he kept hopping a little bit, bumping her up and down. Understanding his meaning, she jumped off and walked about ten feet away, leaving the orange on his saddle. Ludwig, meanwhile, had begun a villainous monologue about the inevitable defeat of Yoshis by Koopas.
"At the rate he's going Yoshi will die...of boredom! Seriously, why doesn't Bowser get a diplomacy unit installed? Alright. I might be invisible, but I'm not helpless! There's probably something around here I can knock Ludwig off his high horse with. Let's see..."
She noticed a bee's nest hanging from a tree fifty feet away. Walking to it, she took out her honey-scented perfume bottle and sprayed around the bees. It worked. Within seconds they were swarming out, looking for the source of the odor. She ran back to where Yoshi was standing, bees in tow.
"Well, I've got one shot. Wish I had a better arm Wait a minute! Yoshi! Oh, he can't...whatever. HERE!"
So saying she thrust the bottle into Yoshi's hands. Ludwig, whose speech was finally ending, looked down and laughed.
"You intend to fight me off with perfume?"
"All I want is to be left alone, Ludwig. Fighting is not my, um, task, er... I'll keep you away by whatever means necessary!"
With pinpoint accuracy he smashed the bottle against the airship's mast, splattering the perfume over everything and everyone on deck. The bees, passionate as ever, were close behind.
"What in the name of- TURN US AROUND!" yelled Ludwig to the Goombas on board. "I won't forget this Yoshi! Ow! Hey! GAH! GET US OUT OF HERE!"
Yoshi and Daisy watched as the airship floated haphazardly away, Ludwig yelping as it went.
"That was close. He'll be back with reinforcements, of course...oh, no. That's...a Magikoopa."
"Naturally!" shrieked their new opponent. "You didn't believe I'd overlook something like Ludwig yelling and screaming at a Yoshi, did you? Ah, but you seem out of place, friend. Perhaps if I escort you somewhere you'll be more comfortable!"
With this the Magikoopa fired the wand at Yoshi, but Daisy jerked him aside just in time.
"Strange! Where did you learn to dodge these moves? No matter, I could do this all day!"
"Daisy," Yoshi murmured, "Get out of here right now."
"I'm not budging!"
"You didn't budge, did you?"
"As a matter of fact," said Daisy, who's frustration at the delays had peaked, "if this turkey wants to get to you, he'll have to get through me! Come at me, Koopa!"
No one else could see, but Daisy took her stand in front of Yoshi. The next shot was fired.
"Wha-? Princess Daisy? I- I...you can't be here!"
"Can't I though? I've had enough of you and your compadres bugging my buddies. Now beat it! Hey...wait. You can hear me? And see me?"
"Not now, Daisy!" cried Yoshi, as the Magikoopa prepared another shot.
"Yoshi," replied Daisy, "I got this. Hey, Magikoopa!"
"What?"
"HI, I'M DAISY!"
With that, a beanstalk suddenly shot out of the ground and smacked into the Magikoopa with astounding force, propelling him into the sky and several miles away. With a face of pure calm, the Princess turned and faced a stunned Yoshi.
"Um, Daisy?"
"Yeah?"
"That was really cool."
"Yeah?."
"Can I ask you something, though?"
"Yeah."
"Why didn't you do that earlier with Ludwig?"
"I couldn't."
"Why?"
"I can only direct plants and speed up their growth, not make them just appear. I didn't see the beanstalk plant until after I stood in front of you, so I couldn't manipulate it."
"Oh. Why didn't the Magikoopa's blow hurt you?"
"It was designed for a Yoshi. All it could do was put me back to normal. At least, I think that's what happened."
"Oh. Well, you're visible now. We can go home."
"Well...I dunno about that."
"How do you mean?"
"Bowser's a little faster on the draw than he used to be."
"Oh, no. You don't mean..."
"Yep. Here comes the Koopa King."
They looked down at the black holes under their feet.
"Well," said Yoshi, "We weren't planning on meeting Bow-"
"Is that a challenge?"
"I happen to be here doing nothing of harm to anyone. Why stop me in the first place?"
Daisy noticed that as Yoshi spoke he kept hopping a little bit, bumping her up and down. Understanding his meaning, she jumped off and walked about ten feet away, leaving the orange on his saddle. Ludwig, meanwhile, had begun a villainous monologue about the inevitable defeat of Yoshis by Koopas.
"At the rate he's going Yoshi will die...of boredom! Seriously, why doesn't Bowser get a diplomacy unit installed? Alright. I might be invisible, but I'm not helpless! There's probably something around here I can knock Ludwig off his high horse with. Let's see..."
She noticed a bee's nest hanging from a tree fifty feet away. Walking to it, she took out her honey-scented perfume bottle and sprayed around the bees. It worked. Within seconds they were swarming out, looking for the source of the odor. She ran back to where Yoshi was standing, bees in tow.
"Well, I've got one shot. Wish I had a better arm Wait a minute! Yoshi! Oh, he can't...whatever. HERE!"
So saying she thrust the bottle into Yoshi's hands. Ludwig, whose speech was finally ending, looked down and laughed.
"You intend to fight me off with perfume?"
"All I want is to be left alone, Ludwig. Fighting is not my, um, task, er... I'll keep you away by whatever means necessary!"
With pinpoint accuracy he smashed the bottle against the airship's mast, splattering the perfume over everything and everyone on deck. The bees, passionate as ever, were close behind.
"What in the name of- TURN US AROUND!" yelled Ludwig to the Goombas on board. "I won't forget this Yoshi! Ow! Hey! GAH! GET US OUT OF HERE!"
Yoshi and Daisy watched as the airship floated haphazardly away, Ludwig yelping as it went.
"That was close. He'll be back with reinforcements, of course...oh, no. That's...a Magikoopa."
"Naturally!" shrieked their new opponent. "You didn't believe I'd overlook something like Ludwig yelling and screaming at a Yoshi, did you? Ah, but you seem out of place, friend. Perhaps if I escort you somewhere you'll be more comfortable!"
With this the Magikoopa fired the wand at Yoshi, but Daisy jerked him aside just in time.
"Strange! Where did you learn to dodge these moves? No matter, I could do this all day!"
"Daisy," Yoshi murmured, "Get out of here right now."
"I'm not budging!"
"You didn't budge, did you?"
"As a matter of fact," said Daisy, who's frustration at the delays had peaked, "if this turkey wants to get to you, he'll have to get through me! Come at me, Koopa!"
No one else could see, but Daisy took her stand in front of Yoshi. The next shot was fired.
"Wha-? Princess Daisy? I- I...you can't be here!"
"Can't I though? I've had enough of you and your compadres bugging my buddies. Now beat it! Hey...wait. You can hear me? And see me?"
"Not now, Daisy!" cried Yoshi, as the Magikoopa prepared another shot.
"Yoshi," replied Daisy, "I got this. Hey, Magikoopa!"
"What?"
"HI, I'M DAISY!"
With that, a beanstalk suddenly shot out of the ground and smacked into the Magikoopa with astounding force, propelling him into the sky and several miles away. With a face of pure calm, the Princess turned and faced a stunned Yoshi.
"Um, Daisy?"
"Yeah?"
"That was really cool."
"Yeah?."
"Can I ask you something, though?"
"Yeah."
"Why didn't you do that earlier with Ludwig?"
"I couldn't."
"Why?"
"I can only direct plants and speed up their growth, not make them just appear. I didn't see the beanstalk plant until after I stood in front of you, so I couldn't manipulate it."
"Oh. Why didn't the Magikoopa's blow hurt you?"
"It was designed for a Yoshi. All it could do was put me back to normal. At least, I think that's what happened."
"Oh. Well, you're visible now. We can go home."
"Well...I dunno about that."
"How do you mean?"
"Bowser's a little faster on the draw than he used to be."
"Oh, no. You don't mean..."
"Yep. Here comes the Koopa King."
They looked down at the black holes under their feet.
"Well," said Yoshi, "We weren't planning on meeting Bow-"
(Continued next week).
September 12, 2015
Vol. 3, Ch. 3 - The Princess' Ride.
"You wouldn't believe how much of a relief it is to see you...well, sort of, anyways," remarked Yoshi as he walked towards his house with his invisible load. "I've had the most boring day imaginable. Nothing at all happened until you came to visit."
"Funny," Daisy thought out loud, "I was thinking the same thing a little earlier."
"Alright. Now let me get my botany book."
Daisy dismounted as Yoshi began poring through his shelves.
"Let's see...History of Yoshi's Island? No. A Melon by any Other Name: Yoshi Philosophy. Hm, I think we have enough of an existential crisis going on as it is. Oh, there it is! The Considerably Loquacious Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna from the Mushroom Kingdom through Sarasaland and...oh, forget it. Who makes up these titles?"
He slapped the large book down on a desk, smashing Daisy's unprepared arm, which was invisibly resting there, in the process. Of course, there was no way Daisy could tell him so, but she still tried to with a flurry of exclamations.
"So, Daisy. I'm guessing you probably already know most of the stuff in this book. To be clear, I pulled it out because I don't know everything about flowers, and I want to know if there's something out there that might have turned you completely invisible and inaudible. I've never heard of that before, but I can't think of anything else in your kingdom that could remotely pose any real danger of doing that, so I have to look for what seems like a logical explanation. After all, after you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true, right? Here. Tell me if anything looks promising."
The pages of the book appeared to turn themselves as Daisy leafed through. Her search appeared to yield little fruit, however, until she suddenly stumbled across the exact plant she'd seen in her garden. She froze the page and patted Yoshi on the nose again.
"C'mon, Yoshi. Please understand what I'm trying to tell you."
"Vanishing plant? 'This native flower of the Koopa Kingdom has the power to render one nearly undetectable, or so the legends say. According to one story, an unlucky princess once stumbled across this plant and was never seen again. Of course, this is just a silly story, and seems unlikely because' and blah, blah, blah. Alright. So you saw one of these in Sarasaland, even though they're from the Koopa Kingdom. Probably Bowser wasn't the culprit- this little pansy would give him the same trouble it gave you. This means, though, that if anyone knows how to make you visible again...it's Bowser. Great."
Daisy shook her head. Of all the goofball circumstances to get into, this one really took the cake. Here she was, invisible and silent to everyone but herself- and the only solution was in Bowser's domain.
"I guess we better take a Warp Pipe," said Yoshi resignedly. "I'll need you to hold something in your hands so I can keep track of you. Can't have a Princess wandering away from her escort."
Daisy picked up an orange from Yoshi's table.
"Perfect. Well, let's get going."
A short walk and a long pipe later they arrived at the border between the Mushroom and Koopa Kingdoms.
"Are you ready?"
Daisy shook the orange up and down. "I'm as ready as I can be. Brother, you'd think this would be easier."
"You'd think this would be easier."
"That's what I...forget it."
Daisy hopped on Yoshi's back again and he began walking towards the castle, careful to take side roads through smaller villages and avoid as much attention as possible. After about a mile he stopped short.
"You know, maybe we can do this without talking directly to Bowser. There are plenty of people around here who I could probably talk to without raising an immediate alarm. Maybe the flower is real common around here and everyone knows how to cure it. Why didn't I consider that earlier?"
Daisy shrugged and then realized, to her surprise, that others not hearing her talk made her tend to talk less.
"Better start simple. There's a Goomba up ahead. Let's see what she knows. Excuse me!"
The Goomba, noticing a Yoshi within licking range, bolted.
"Okay, so that didn't work. Maybe someone else will be more helpful."
"Heh-heh...oh!" came a familiarly unpleasant laugh from behind. Yoshi and Daisy whirled around and were dismayed to see Ludwig Von Koopa approaching in his airship. Daisy quickly tossed her orange aside as Ludwig said, "Well, Yoshi, this is a pleasant surprise. You aren't the sort I expected to find on patrol- but it's nice to meet a cousin."
"The only thing we have in common, Lugwig," said Yoshi icily, "is that we're reptiles."
"You mean cold-blooded," replied Ludwig with another sinister chuckle.
"At any rate, I'm not bothering anyone, so I'll see you later."
"Ah, don't be hasty! I must extend to you an invitation to Bowser's Castle."
"I'll have to decline."
"I'll have to insist."
"I'll have to resist."
"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you."
"You could be a decent fellow. I'd hate to die."
"Then, for the last time, surrender!"
Yoshi looked his opponent directly in the eye. "Death first."
"Brother!" thought Daisy to herself. "All because I picked a stupid flower.
"Funny," Daisy thought out loud, "I was thinking the same thing a little earlier."
"Alright. Now let me get my botany book."
Daisy dismounted as Yoshi began poring through his shelves.
"Let's see...History of Yoshi's Island? No. A Melon by any Other Name: Yoshi Philosophy. Hm, I think we have enough of an existential crisis going on as it is. Oh, there it is! The Considerably Loquacious Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna from the Mushroom Kingdom through Sarasaland and...oh, forget it. Who makes up these titles?"
He slapped the large book down on a desk, smashing Daisy's unprepared arm, which was invisibly resting there, in the process. Of course, there was no way Daisy could tell him so, but she still tried to with a flurry of exclamations.
"So, Daisy. I'm guessing you probably already know most of the stuff in this book. To be clear, I pulled it out because I don't know everything about flowers, and I want to know if there's something out there that might have turned you completely invisible and inaudible. I've never heard of that before, but I can't think of anything else in your kingdom that could remotely pose any real danger of doing that, so I have to look for what seems like a logical explanation. After all, after you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true, right? Here. Tell me if anything looks promising."
The pages of the book appeared to turn themselves as Daisy leafed through. Her search appeared to yield little fruit, however, until she suddenly stumbled across the exact plant she'd seen in her garden. She froze the page and patted Yoshi on the nose again.
"C'mon, Yoshi. Please understand what I'm trying to tell you."
"Vanishing plant? 'This native flower of the Koopa Kingdom has the power to render one nearly undetectable, or so the legends say. According to one story, an unlucky princess once stumbled across this plant and was never seen again. Of course, this is just a silly story, and seems unlikely because' and blah, blah, blah. Alright. So you saw one of these in Sarasaland, even though they're from the Koopa Kingdom. Probably Bowser wasn't the culprit- this little pansy would give him the same trouble it gave you. This means, though, that if anyone knows how to make you visible again...it's Bowser. Great."
Daisy shook her head. Of all the goofball circumstances to get into, this one really took the cake. Here she was, invisible and silent to everyone but herself- and the only solution was in Bowser's domain.
"I guess we better take a Warp Pipe," said Yoshi resignedly. "I'll need you to hold something in your hands so I can keep track of you. Can't have a Princess wandering away from her escort."
Daisy picked up an orange from Yoshi's table.
"Perfect. Well, let's get going."
A short walk and a long pipe later they arrived at the border between the Mushroom and Koopa Kingdoms.
"Are you ready?"
Daisy shook the orange up and down. "I'm as ready as I can be. Brother, you'd think this would be easier."
"You'd think this would be easier."
"That's what I...forget it."
Daisy hopped on Yoshi's back again and he began walking towards the castle, careful to take side roads through smaller villages and avoid as much attention as possible. After about a mile he stopped short.
"You know, maybe we can do this without talking directly to Bowser. There are plenty of people around here who I could probably talk to without raising an immediate alarm. Maybe the flower is real common around here and everyone knows how to cure it. Why didn't I consider that earlier?"
Daisy shrugged and then realized, to her surprise, that others not hearing her talk made her tend to talk less.
"Better start simple. There's a Goomba up ahead. Let's see what she knows. Excuse me!"
The Goomba, noticing a Yoshi within licking range, bolted.
"Okay, so that didn't work. Maybe someone else will be more helpful."
"Heh-heh...oh!" came a familiarly unpleasant laugh from behind. Yoshi and Daisy whirled around and were dismayed to see Ludwig Von Koopa approaching in his airship. Daisy quickly tossed her orange aside as Ludwig said, "Well, Yoshi, this is a pleasant surprise. You aren't the sort I expected to find on patrol- but it's nice to meet a cousin."
"The only thing we have in common, Lugwig," said Yoshi icily, "is that we're reptiles."
"You mean cold-blooded," replied Ludwig with another sinister chuckle.
"At any rate, I'm not bothering anyone, so I'll see you later."
"Ah, don't be hasty! I must extend to you an invitation to Bowser's Castle."
"I'll have to decline."
"I'll have to insist."
"I'll have to resist."
"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you."
"You could be a decent fellow. I'd hate to die."
"Then, for the last time, surrender!"
Yoshi looked his opponent directly in the eye. "Death first."
"Brother!" thought Daisy to herself. "All because I picked a stupid flower.
September 5, 2015
Vol. 3, Ch. 2 - Help Wanted.
She turned and went back into the castle foyer. "Can anyone see or hear me?" she called. There was no response.
"Well, nuts. I wish at least one person knew what happened to me. The whole castle will be in an uproar in a second."
She was right. Soon the castle grounds were ringing with her name. Some of her attendants were already sending letters to other kingdoms to see if she'd gone, and a search party had been sent out in every direction. Happy as she was to be missed, the drama annoyed Daisy to no end.
"I'm right here, and everyone's looking for me. What in the world happened? It must have started sometime in the garden. In fact, I'll bet it was that flower! It just disappeared right in front of me! Wait, though - it actually vanished completely. It was if it had never been there, like it didn't exist!"
With trembling hands she reached for a flowerpot on the shelf. To her relief she was able to pick it up without any trouble.
"Whew! Well, at least I can interact with the world in some way."
"Hold it right there!"
An attendant had walked into the room. It was obvious that all he saw was a floating flowerpot.
"Show yourself!" he cried, drawing a sword. "Who are you?"
Daisy shouted "It's me! Hi, I'm Daisy!" but it was evident he couldn't hear her. He began to approach, sword in hand.
"Guess I'd better make like pepper and dash," she said, setting the flowerpot down. She ran to the door, flung it open, and rushed outside.
Her attendant started close behind her, but he was no match for Daisy's track-and-field skills, and fell behind quickly.
After she was about a quarter mile away, she sat down next to a tree.
"Alright, think. There's gotta be a way out of this. Far as I know, no one can see or hear me. It's probably because of something I did. Better make sure I'm not dreaming."
A sharp pinch convinced her of consciousness.
"The only thing I can do is try to find someone who can somehow detect me. Hmm...I'm invisible and inaudible, but I can still touch things. I bet Peach could figure out my problem. On the other hand, I don't want to think about what Mario would do if he discovered a floating pencil writing a message to Peach in her own castle. So who else can I try? I need to get back here as soon as I can, and I can only do that if I have someone's support. Well, it's a little far by Warp Pipe, but I guess my only chance is Yoshi's Island. If I can get Yoshi to notice me, he'll vouch for me. Then Peach can give me some advice about what to do. Now I just need to find a pipe."
It didn't take her long. A short walk down the road brought her to one of Sarasaland's travel pipe plazas.
"Okay, Yoshi's Island. And...there it is. Well, here goes."
"It's been a boring day," Yoshi sighed. He was next to Yoshi's Island's pipe plaza, trying to decide whether to stay home or go out and about. "Maybe I'll visit Daisy; we haven't chatted in a while." Suddenly he paused. "Strange. All of a sudden I can smell her flowers."
The next second he felt a gloved hand on his nose, and jumped back. "Who's that? Where are you?"
"I wish you could hear me!" cried Daisy, to no avail.
Yoshi paused. "Let's see...I smelled flowers, then someone wearing gloves patted me on the nose. They were nice gloves, like the kind a princess would wear. Wait...it can't be. Daisy! If you can hear me, jump on my back!"
"Well, okay Yoshi."
"So you came to visit, huh, Daisy? That's great! Well, I do wish you'd come sooner. Of course, we won't have much of a conversation, since I can't see or hear you, but I know the smell of your flower garden. It can't be anyone but you. So...let's see about making you recognizable."
"Yoshi, I wish I could tell you that that's the most sensible thing I've heard all day."
"I know."
"Well, nuts. I wish at least one person knew what happened to me. The whole castle will be in an uproar in a second."
She was right. Soon the castle grounds were ringing with her name. Some of her attendants were already sending letters to other kingdoms to see if she'd gone, and a search party had been sent out in every direction. Happy as she was to be missed, the drama annoyed Daisy to no end.
"I'm right here, and everyone's looking for me. What in the world happened? It must have started sometime in the garden. In fact, I'll bet it was that flower! It just disappeared right in front of me! Wait, though - it actually vanished completely. It was if it had never been there, like it didn't exist!"
With trembling hands she reached for a flowerpot on the shelf. To her relief she was able to pick it up without any trouble.
"Whew! Well, at least I can interact with the world in some way."
"Hold it right there!"
An attendant had walked into the room. It was obvious that all he saw was a floating flowerpot.
"Show yourself!" he cried, drawing a sword. "Who are you?"
Daisy shouted "It's me! Hi, I'm Daisy!" but it was evident he couldn't hear her. He began to approach, sword in hand.
"Guess I'd better make like pepper and dash," she said, setting the flowerpot down. She ran to the door, flung it open, and rushed outside.
Her attendant started close behind her, but he was no match for Daisy's track-and-field skills, and fell behind quickly.
After she was about a quarter mile away, she sat down next to a tree.
"Alright, think. There's gotta be a way out of this. Far as I know, no one can see or hear me. It's probably because of something I did. Better make sure I'm not dreaming."
A sharp pinch convinced her of consciousness.
"The only thing I can do is try to find someone who can somehow detect me. Hmm...I'm invisible and inaudible, but I can still touch things. I bet Peach could figure out my problem. On the other hand, I don't want to think about what Mario would do if he discovered a floating pencil writing a message to Peach in her own castle. So who else can I try? I need to get back here as soon as I can, and I can only do that if I have someone's support. Well, it's a little far by Warp Pipe, but I guess my only chance is Yoshi's Island. If I can get Yoshi to notice me, he'll vouch for me. Then Peach can give me some advice about what to do. Now I just need to find a pipe."
It didn't take her long. A short walk down the road brought her to one of Sarasaland's travel pipe plazas.
"Okay, Yoshi's Island. And...there it is. Well, here goes."
"It's been a boring day," Yoshi sighed. He was next to Yoshi's Island's pipe plaza, trying to decide whether to stay home or go out and about. "Maybe I'll visit Daisy; we haven't chatted in a while." Suddenly he paused. "Strange. All of a sudden I can smell her flowers."
The next second he felt a gloved hand on his nose, and jumped back. "Who's that? Where are you?"
"I wish you could hear me!" cried Daisy, to no avail.
Yoshi paused. "Let's see...I smelled flowers, then someone wearing gloves patted me on the nose. They were nice gloves, like the kind a princess would wear. Wait...it can't be. Daisy! If you can hear me, jump on my back!"
"Well, okay Yoshi."
"So you came to visit, huh, Daisy? That's great! Well, I do wish you'd come sooner. Of course, we won't have much of a conversation, since I can't see or hear you, but I know the smell of your flower garden. It can't be anyone but you. So...let's see about making you recognizable."
"Yoshi, I wish I could tell you that that's the most sensible thing I've heard all day."
"I know."
Continued next week.
August 30, 2015
Vol. 3, Ch. 1. - The Wallflower.
"Why doesn't anything exciting ever happen around here?" complained Princess Daisy as she sat on her castle veranda.
"I think there's plenty to be excited about," replied an attendant. "The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, it's a beautiful day!"
"But nothing's happening out there!" cried the Princess. An excitable tomboy and princess of Sarasaland, Daisy preferred action to politics, but seeing as how her kingdom had few foreign contacts and little major industry, there was little action to be seen. Politics had never been Daisy's first priority, which was just as well since her blunt, competitive way of working with people would not have gained her many political friends. She did have administrative gifts, though, and Sarasaland had done fairly well under her rather hands-off approach to leadership. It wasn't that she hated being a Princess...she just hated being bored, and there wasn't a whole lot in her kingdom to keep her busy.
"You could work on the castle's garden. The daisies appear to need a little attention."
"I see what you did there," she said, smiling. She did have a green thumb, and if there was any quiet activity she enjoyed, it was gardening. The castle grounds boasted the finest flowers for miles around. "I guess I'll take a look around," she said. "There's probably something out there that needs maintenance."
As she walked around the garden with her sprayer she began thinking out loud.
"I wonder what would happen if I traveled for a while? It feels like I just got back, but I'm getting tired of being here already. I guess it's the garden that keeps me from just staying away forever. After all, Sarasaland doesn't need me looking over its shoulder all the time. Hey, what's that?"
She walked towards a flower that looked a great deal like a pansy. It had all the wrong colors, however, and was slightly misshapen.
"I didn't plant this. Must be an unwelcome guest. Kind of pretty, though. Wonder what it's called? It couldn't be from around here- I'd recognize it. Attendants!" she shouted, "bring me the Planter's Almanac, please!"
A Toad brought her the book, and she scanned its pages, looking for the unusual flower.
"There it is. Vanishing plant. 'This pansy-like flower has an unusual name for it's unusual appearance. No one is sure where it comes from, but legends say it has the power to remain unnoticed in a garden for years. Of course, such a claim seems ridiculous, but, on the other hand, no one has ever disproved it.' Brother...mystery mulch. Well, better get rid of it."
She walked over to the flower. "You're very pretty and all, but if there's anything I'm picky about, it's a stable garden. That means no mysteries, so you'll have to go. She tugged the plant out of the ground and, to her surprise, it vanished! It wasn't just invisible, but completely gone!
"Ummmm...attendants?" There was no response, and she sighed. "I should consider hiring a few more people. No one ever seems to be close enough to hear me. She walked back into the castle. "Anyone there?" she called. Looking to her right, she saw a guard by her chamber.
"Hey there. Would you mind finding me an attendant? I need some help searching the garden for a flower I think I dropped somewhere and need to get rid of."
The guard didn't respond.
"Hey!" Daisy raised her voice just a little. "Could you get me an attendant?"
Still no response.
"You're being very rude! Why don't you answer my question?"
No response.
Suddenly a Toad came rushing to the guard. "Come quick!" he cried. "Princess Daisy has disappeared!"
"I'm right here!" cried Daisy, but both the guard and attendant ignored her and dashed towards the castle garden.
"Why didn't they notice me?" Daisy opened the door to her chamber and went inside. Along the wall she had a standing mirror that she usually used for making shadow puppets on the wall. "I guess now's as good a time as any to make sure my crown's on straight," she said.
When she looked into the mirror though, there was no reflection.
"Okay...now I'm more than a little concerned."
She dashed back into the castle's greeting chamber where another mirror had been placed. No reflection was presented to her, even after she wiped it with her glove. She turned around and looked at the ground. It was 5 pm on a sunny day- and she had no shadow.
"Well," she said with a wry smile, "I guess something's officially happened around here."
"I think there's plenty to be excited about," replied an attendant. "The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, it's a beautiful day!"
"But nothing's happening out there!" cried the Princess. An excitable tomboy and princess of Sarasaland, Daisy preferred action to politics, but seeing as how her kingdom had few foreign contacts and little major industry, there was little action to be seen. Politics had never been Daisy's first priority, which was just as well since her blunt, competitive way of working with people would not have gained her many political friends. She did have administrative gifts, though, and Sarasaland had done fairly well under her rather hands-off approach to leadership. It wasn't that she hated being a Princess...she just hated being bored, and there wasn't a whole lot in her kingdom to keep her busy.
"You could work on the castle's garden. The daisies appear to need a little attention."
"I see what you did there," she said, smiling. She did have a green thumb, and if there was any quiet activity she enjoyed, it was gardening. The castle grounds boasted the finest flowers for miles around. "I guess I'll take a look around," she said. "There's probably something out there that needs maintenance."
As she walked around the garden with her sprayer she began thinking out loud.
"I wonder what would happen if I traveled for a while? It feels like I just got back, but I'm getting tired of being here already. I guess it's the garden that keeps me from just staying away forever. After all, Sarasaland doesn't need me looking over its shoulder all the time. Hey, what's that?"
She walked towards a flower that looked a great deal like a pansy. It had all the wrong colors, however, and was slightly misshapen.
"I didn't plant this. Must be an unwelcome guest. Kind of pretty, though. Wonder what it's called? It couldn't be from around here- I'd recognize it. Attendants!" she shouted, "bring me the Planter's Almanac, please!"
A Toad brought her the book, and she scanned its pages, looking for the unusual flower.
"There it is. Vanishing plant. 'This pansy-like flower has an unusual name for it's unusual appearance. No one is sure where it comes from, but legends say it has the power to remain unnoticed in a garden for years. Of course, such a claim seems ridiculous, but, on the other hand, no one has ever disproved it.' Brother...mystery mulch. Well, better get rid of it."
She walked over to the flower. "You're very pretty and all, but if there's anything I'm picky about, it's a stable garden. That means no mysteries, so you'll have to go. She tugged the plant out of the ground and, to her surprise, it vanished! It wasn't just invisible, but completely gone!
"Ummmm...attendants?" There was no response, and she sighed. "I should consider hiring a few more people. No one ever seems to be close enough to hear me. She walked back into the castle. "Anyone there?" she called. Looking to her right, she saw a guard by her chamber.
"Hey there. Would you mind finding me an attendant? I need some help searching the garden for a flower I think I dropped somewhere and need to get rid of."
The guard didn't respond.
"Hey!" Daisy raised her voice just a little. "Could you get me an attendant?"
Still no response.
"You're being very rude! Why don't you answer my question?"
No response.
Suddenly a Toad came rushing to the guard. "Come quick!" he cried. "Princess Daisy has disappeared!"
"I'm right here!" cried Daisy, but both the guard and attendant ignored her and dashed towards the castle garden.
"Why didn't they notice me?" Daisy opened the door to her chamber and went inside. Along the wall she had a standing mirror that she usually used for making shadow puppets on the wall. "I guess now's as good a time as any to make sure my crown's on straight," she said.
When she looked into the mirror though, there was no reflection.
"Okay...now I'm more than a little concerned."
She dashed back into the castle's greeting chamber where another mirror had been placed. No reflection was presented to her, even after she wiped it with her glove. She turned around and looked at the ground. It was 5 pm on a sunny day- and she had no shadow.
"Well," she said with a wry smile, "I guess something's officially happened around here."
Continued this week.
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