Vol. 5, Ch. 3 - Merry Christmas!

     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."

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?!"

Continued this week, completed by Christmas.

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!

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."

Continued later this week.