"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.
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