(no subject)
Chapter 6 brings us the relief that the Star children are, in fact, alive. But they're seeing weird visions. The hospital isn't as safe as they grew up learning...
The Princess stood on the balcony outside of her castle, looking down at the dimly charged Stars below. She was so high above the ground that there was no ground to view. Her eyes watered as the image of her daughter and rescuer plummeted from the sky. Tears rolled down her face as she thought of all those poor, innocent civilians now prisoner in both Bowser's and her own dungeons. She slowly walked back into her room and sat upon her bed. Usually it brought her great comfort and peace, but nothing eased the misery in her heart.
"My precious daughter... my poor subjects... my dear Kingdom... The poor Stars..." She sniffled. "It's all been ruined by that horrid Bowser. And here I am, trapped in the sky, unable to do a thing for it. I just know that Danielle and Brandon couldn't have survived such an awful fall... but I do wish and hope every hour that they found a way."
She rose to her feet. She slowly pushed a button hidden behind a picture, revealing a hidden pathway from her room. She followed it to another room on the other side of the hallway. "I see Bowser set up a base here, as well. What's this?" She found a large book and picked it up. She read its contents.
Day: X3 Month: X6
The Princess is holding a massive gathering today at her castle. It seems to be in honor of her daughter, Danielle, returning from a 15-year stint of being missing. I ran into the brat earlier the day before and nearly eliminated her, but a stupid little boy interfered. I don't know who he is, but any friend of Danielle's must be dealt with. I assume they will all be in attendance today at the festivities.
Day: X4 Month: X6
Well, victory was achieved! The attack went perfectly as planned. Not only is the Princess now in my possession, so is a great deal of the figureheads of the Mushroom Kingdom. I've locked them away in prison so that they won't interfere. Mario was dealt with, and Luigi showed neither hide nor tail of himself... not that he's an important matter anyway. Danielle and her irritating friend were also handled, and I'm quite certain they won't be causing me anymore grief.
She skipped ahead to the most recent page.
Day: X7 Month: X6
Well, Kammy tells me that Danielle and her associate are, in fact, alive. By some stroke of luck, the irritants managed to survive the raid. No matter. I've been told of their current location and have dispatched some of my men to the place to dispose of them. I hear rumor that Danielle's little partner is a kid named Brandon, and he is some otherworldly human. I'll pursue this further, as I have my doubts. Regardless, I intend to have the Princess wed to me in short notice--
She couldn't read anymore. She was relieved to see that the children had lived, but the horror of being married to Bowser sickened her stomach. The doorknob began to turn, so she quickly retreated back to her bedroom through the hidden pathway.
***
Luigi sat on the porch of his new home reading through the paper. He was trying to find any positive word on the location of his brother or the children. So far, he'd found nothing. He sighed heavily, then heard the sound of a warp pipe.
"Dani! Brandon!" He cried excitedly, seeing them emerge from it. "Stars above! Everyone thought you two were goners!"
Dani ran forward and hugged him. "Uncle Luigi! You're safe!"
"Where's everyone else?" Brandon asked, hands in his pockets.
"Oh, kids, it's horrible. Bowser made off with the entire castle and at least 100 civilians! No one knows where Mario has disappeared to, and everyone was certain you two were... you know. It's absolute chaos." Luigi said softly.
"Well, we're here now, Uncle Luigi. We'll set things straight, just like you and Daddy would have done." Dani smiled reassuringly. Neither she nor her boyfriend had yet to mention the peculiar visions or the "visits" from the Star Spirits. They chalked that up to delusion, but intended to investigate.
"That's great, kids. I think everyone'll just be glad to see you're alright!"
"We're gonna head to town," Brandon said, seeming to be in a bored hurry. "Check out what happened and stuff."
"Be careful. It's getting near dusk."
Dani nodded and smiled. "We'll be fine!" The two departed for Toad Town.
"I've heard that before," Luigi said dismally, flipping another page in the paper.
***
The two of them were suddenly invigorated, running through the streets of the town with a strange energy. The people wandering the streets looked at them with shock and excitement, thrilled to see their newfound heroes returning alive and in good health. The pair ran straight through downtown, showing off their fire and electrical skills for a group of children as they passed.
"You guys are awesome!" The children all exclaimed.
This is home, they both thought quietly. This is where we belong.
They made it to the castle gates and slowed to a stop. Hesitating, they remembered the flashbacks of the tremors and the terror, then pushed each other forward. Their youthful energy was instantly calmed by the sight that lay ahead. Dusk fell upon the kingdom and the streetlights illuminated the scene.
The location in which the castle once proudly stood was now a gaping crater. Trees lay uprooted on all sides of the hole in the earth, chunks of stone from the castle all around. The fountain was snapped in half, and the beautifully manicured gardens were flattened and destroyed. But the saddest sight of all was the little Toad boy sitting on the edge of the crater, his feet dangling above the edge.
Brandon walked over. "You know, it's probably dangerous to be sitting here on the ledge."
The little boy looked him in the eye with such an expression it shuddered his very core. "My daddy."
He sat down slowly beside the little boy. "Your dad?"
"The castle, it flew away, mister."
Dani watched from a distance, smiling through welling tears in her eyes. He'd always been so good with children.
"I know it did," Brandon replied gently. "It was scary, huh?"
"It flew away with my daddy, mister."
He looked away, blinking his eyes. "I'm sorry..."
"Mister, will the castle ever come back? Will my daddy... will my daddy ever come back?"
Brandon nearly wanted to cry, but managed to stay resilient. He smiled a little bit. "Yeah. It'll come back. I promise." He got up and picked the little boy up, putting him down a few feet from the ledge. "I'm gonna go up to the sky and bring that castle back."
The little boy smiled. "And my daddy, too, mister?"
He nodded. "Your daddy, too."
The little boy hugged him. "Thank you, mister! I'm gonna wish for you every night." He ran off when his name was called.
Dani rejoined him at his side. "That was really nice of you."
"Dani, what does he mean by 'wishing for you?'"
She smiled. "It's the same thing as praying."
He looked down for a moment, then said softly, "We gotta get the castle back, Dani."
She hugged him. "I know, love."
The two regained their composure and finally made it to Shooting Star Summit. The ground beneath them pulsed with energy, and Stars fell all around them. It was a beautiful and enchanting location, and they had to take a moment to admire it for what it was. They looked up at the top of the summit and saw a strange mist lingering.
We need you... The voice echoed through both their minds.
Brandon pulled her forward. "C'mon."
The two of them slowly made the climb to the top of the summit. When they both stood in the center of the summit, they found themselves holding hands by some peculiar force of nature. When their fingers interlocked with the other's, the mist enveloped them and levitated them from the summit. They both looked upward instead of downward as seven clouds materialized before them. The Star Spirits energy forces hung above them.
"Welcome to Shooting Star Summit," Eldstar said. "We knew you two would pull through."
Skolar nodded his head. "What we have to tell you two is very important. We don't have much time, as our forces are weak. We brought you here because it is easier for us to communicate with you here."
Mamar began. "Bowser has done a great evil, children. He has kidnapped the Princess and has imprisoned Mario. He tried to eliminate the both of you. He invaded the fabled Star Haven and stolen the Star Rod."
"What did he do to you?" Brandon questioned.
"He has imprisoned us as well, depleting our energies," Klevar answered. "He has absorbed the energy of the Stars and is using it to fuel his own selfish needs. No one's wishes are being granted because he has harnessed all the power."
"He drained your powers away to nothing," Muskular continued. "You two are the only ones who are equipped to bring peace back to the kingdom, but you will need our assistance."
Misstar nodded. "If the seven of us are reunited atop this summit, we can bestow upon the two of you the legendary Supernova. We never thought that we would need such a powerful spell, but the time has come, and the Star children have risen."
Kalmar faded in and out. "Our energy is depleting. Bowser intends to force the Princess into marriage so that the Mushroom Kingdom will be his to control. But he has allied with an enemy that will test the very limits of you two. But the Stars will always be there to back you up, and you two should back up each other. Be strong, and you will prevail."
Eldstar's voice began to fade. "Children... know that we Stars... have known this day would come. Danielle... you were destined to be... a heroine from... the start. When you... met Brandon we... knew that he was... the one to be at your... side for the battle for tranquility..." The Star Spirits' images faded out. "Please, children... save the Kingdom..."
They were slowly lowered to the ground, and the earth beneath them quit pulsing. They slowly let go of the other's hand and stared at the bleak sky with a stunned expression.
"Dani..."
She hugged him. "We're okay."
"We gotta do this."
"We will."
They sat in silence for a few moments until finally he nodded. "Let's go back to Luigi's and sleep this excitement off. Please."
She smiled. "That sounds good."
***
The walk from the town to Luigi's house was dark, and Brandon held a small fire orb to light the path. His eyes looked every which way as the occasional Boo darted by. It made him uneasy to be able to see them. He picked up his pace. A sound came from the bushes, followed by deep and menacing laughter. The couple didn't bother to look back. Unequipped to fight, they bolted down the trail.
"Dani, c'mon!" He shouted over his shoulder. He was much faster than she was.
"I'm hurrying!" She replied.
"You're shooting lightning bolts over your shoulder! Damnit, leave it alone and let's go!"
The laughter echoed again, all around. It was as if they were surrounded. It was a terrifying ordeal. Brandon jumped into a thickly wooded area and, having extinguished his fire orb so he'd be harder to find, waited to see the soft glow of Dani's electrical abilities.
"Damnit, where the hell is she?" He whispered while catching his breath. She appeared in his line of sight and he nearly called out for her when a fireball crashed at her feet, sending her flying forward. He ducked behind a bush.
She landed against a tree and cried out softly from the impact. She limped slightly, and he could see her leg had been badly singed. He could feel the awful pain of every step she took.
"Well, well, Roy... looks like we caught us a runaway," Ludwig laughed a little bit at the girl's pathetic attempt to hobble away.
"Yeah, King Dad'll be happy with this catch, won't he, bro?" Roy's nasty voice held the trace of a smirk.
"Indeed, brother." They both took a step forward towards the girl, who was wincing in pain. "Let's wrap her up nice and pretty for King Dad, shall we?"
Brandon wanted to jump forward and help her, but as he was preparing to, a female voice pierced his mind.
"Don't do it. Stay hidden. It's better you escape than us both be captured."
"I'm not letting them take you," he found himself replying.
"Stay hidden, please! If we both are captured, it's hopeless! Please... I'll be fine..."
Closing his eyes tight and curling up into the bush that was hiding him, he tried to block out the sounds of the struggle. His heart was torn into pieces, and he quivered helplessly.
"Do you have the bag?" Ludwig asked his brother.
"Right here," Roy tossed him a large bag. They struggled and lifted their captive, who kicked and screamed, pushing her down into it. Once she was secured, Roy put it over his back. "King Dad'll be so thrilled, he'll go through the damn roof!"
Ludwig laughed. "Indeed! Now. Let us away back to Dark Land."
"What about the other kid?"
"He's useless without her."
The two Koopas disappeared in a cloud of smoke, taking Dani with them.
Brandon slowly stood up, noticing it was safe once again. He walked over to where she had last been standing and looked around as if waiting for her to pop up out of the ground. A soft wind blew past, then silenced. The sound of animals crawling through the nighttime brush resumed once again, and all was calm.
"Dani," he whined softly, looking up and looking both ways. He was a little bit numbed by the experience. Lighting another fireball into his palm, he made his way back to Luigi's.
"Where's Dani?" Luigi asked when Brandon arrived at the house.
The younger human was staring at the ground as he extinguished the fireball with a neglected drop of his hand. He murmured softly, inaudibly.
"Come again?"
"They took her," he said again, a bit louder, voice strained.
Luigi walked over quickly, putting his hands on Brandon's shoulders. "What? Are you okay?"
He shook his head. "No."
"Stars above. They finally have her."
The younger male walked ahead, seeming emotionally detached. His pace was robotic and he stared directly at his feet and nothing else. "They were right," he spoke in a saddened monotone.
"What? Who was right?" Luigi sat at his side.
He looked up, on the verge of crying. "I'm useless without her."
The Princess stood on the balcony outside of her castle, looking down at the dimly charged Stars below. She was so high above the ground that there was no ground to view. Her eyes watered as the image of her daughter and rescuer plummeted from the sky. Tears rolled down her face as she thought of all those poor, innocent civilians now prisoner in both Bowser's and her own dungeons. She slowly walked back into her room and sat upon her bed. Usually it brought her great comfort and peace, but nothing eased the misery in her heart.
"My precious daughter... my poor subjects... my dear Kingdom... The poor Stars..." She sniffled. "It's all been ruined by that horrid Bowser. And here I am, trapped in the sky, unable to do a thing for it. I just know that Danielle and Brandon couldn't have survived such an awful fall... but I do wish and hope every hour that they found a way."
She rose to her feet. She slowly pushed a button hidden behind a picture, revealing a hidden pathway from her room. She followed it to another room on the other side of the hallway. "I see Bowser set up a base here, as well. What's this?" She found a large book and picked it up. She read its contents.
Day: X3 Month: X6
The Princess is holding a massive gathering today at her castle. It seems to be in honor of her daughter, Danielle, returning from a 15-year stint of being missing. I ran into the brat earlier the day before and nearly eliminated her, but a stupid little boy interfered. I don't know who he is, but any friend of Danielle's must be dealt with. I assume they will all be in attendance today at the festivities.
Day: X4 Month: X6
Well, victory was achieved! The attack went perfectly as planned. Not only is the Princess now in my possession, so is a great deal of the figureheads of the Mushroom Kingdom. I've locked them away in prison so that they won't interfere. Mario was dealt with, and Luigi showed neither hide nor tail of himself... not that he's an important matter anyway. Danielle and her irritating friend were also handled, and I'm quite certain they won't be causing me anymore grief.
She skipped ahead to the most recent page.
Day: X7 Month: X6
Well, Kammy tells me that Danielle and her associate are, in fact, alive. By some stroke of luck, the irritants managed to survive the raid. No matter. I've been told of their current location and have dispatched some of my men to the place to dispose of them. I hear rumor that Danielle's little partner is a kid named Brandon, and he is some otherworldly human. I'll pursue this further, as I have my doubts. Regardless, I intend to have the Princess wed to me in short notice--
She couldn't read anymore. She was relieved to see that the children had lived, but the horror of being married to Bowser sickened her stomach. The doorknob began to turn, so she quickly retreated back to her bedroom through the hidden pathway.
***
Luigi sat on the porch of his new home reading through the paper. He was trying to find any positive word on the location of his brother or the children. So far, he'd found nothing. He sighed heavily, then heard the sound of a warp pipe.
"Dani! Brandon!" He cried excitedly, seeing them emerge from it. "Stars above! Everyone thought you two were goners!"
Dani ran forward and hugged him. "Uncle Luigi! You're safe!"
"Where's everyone else?" Brandon asked, hands in his pockets.
"Oh, kids, it's horrible. Bowser made off with the entire castle and at least 100 civilians! No one knows where Mario has disappeared to, and everyone was certain you two were... you know. It's absolute chaos." Luigi said softly.
"Well, we're here now, Uncle Luigi. We'll set things straight, just like you and Daddy would have done." Dani smiled reassuringly. Neither she nor her boyfriend had yet to mention the peculiar visions or the "visits" from the Star Spirits. They chalked that up to delusion, but intended to investigate.
"That's great, kids. I think everyone'll just be glad to see you're alright!"
"We're gonna head to town," Brandon said, seeming to be in a bored hurry. "Check out what happened and stuff."
"Be careful. It's getting near dusk."
Dani nodded and smiled. "We'll be fine!" The two departed for Toad Town.
"I've heard that before," Luigi said dismally, flipping another page in the paper.
***
The two of them were suddenly invigorated, running through the streets of the town with a strange energy. The people wandering the streets looked at them with shock and excitement, thrilled to see their newfound heroes returning alive and in good health. The pair ran straight through downtown, showing off their fire and electrical skills for a group of children as they passed.
"You guys are awesome!" The children all exclaimed.
This is home, they both thought quietly. This is where we belong.
They made it to the castle gates and slowed to a stop. Hesitating, they remembered the flashbacks of the tremors and the terror, then pushed each other forward. Their youthful energy was instantly calmed by the sight that lay ahead. Dusk fell upon the kingdom and the streetlights illuminated the scene.
The location in which the castle once proudly stood was now a gaping crater. Trees lay uprooted on all sides of the hole in the earth, chunks of stone from the castle all around. The fountain was snapped in half, and the beautifully manicured gardens were flattened and destroyed. But the saddest sight of all was the little Toad boy sitting on the edge of the crater, his feet dangling above the edge.
Brandon walked over. "You know, it's probably dangerous to be sitting here on the ledge."
The little boy looked him in the eye with such an expression it shuddered his very core. "My daddy."
He sat down slowly beside the little boy. "Your dad?"
"The castle, it flew away, mister."
Dani watched from a distance, smiling through welling tears in her eyes. He'd always been so good with children.
"I know it did," Brandon replied gently. "It was scary, huh?"
"It flew away with my daddy, mister."
He looked away, blinking his eyes. "I'm sorry..."
"Mister, will the castle ever come back? Will my daddy... will my daddy ever come back?"
Brandon nearly wanted to cry, but managed to stay resilient. He smiled a little bit. "Yeah. It'll come back. I promise." He got up and picked the little boy up, putting him down a few feet from the ledge. "I'm gonna go up to the sky and bring that castle back."
The little boy smiled. "And my daddy, too, mister?"
He nodded. "Your daddy, too."
The little boy hugged him. "Thank you, mister! I'm gonna wish for you every night." He ran off when his name was called.
Dani rejoined him at his side. "That was really nice of you."
"Dani, what does he mean by 'wishing for you?'"
She smiled. "It's the same thing as praying."
He looked down for a moment, then said softly, "We gotta get the castle back, Dani."
She hugged him. "I know, love."
The two regained their composure and finally made it to Shooting Star Summit. The ground beneath them pulsed with energy, and Stars fell all around them. It was a beautiful and enchanting location, and they had to take a moment to admire it for what it was. They looked up at the top of the summit and saw a strange mist lingering.
We need you... The voice echoed through both their minds.
Brandon pulled her forward. "C'mon."
The two of them slowly made the climb to the top of the summit. When they both stood in the center of the summit, they found themselves holding hands by some peculiar force of nature. When their fingers interlocked with the other's, the mist enveloped them and levitated them from the summit. They both looked upward instead of downward as seven clouds materialized before them. The Star Spirits energy forces hung above them.
"Welcome to Shooting Star Summit," Eldstar said. "We knew you two would pull through."
Skolar nodded his head. "What we have to tell you two is very important. We don't have much time, as our forces are weak. We brought you here because it is easier for us to communicate with you here."
Mamar began. "Bowser has done a great evil, children. He has kidnapped the Princess and has imprisoned Mario. He tried to eliminate the both of you. He invaded the fabled Star Haven and stolen the Star Rod."
"What did he do to you?" Brandon questioned.
"He has imprisoned us as well, depleting our energies," Klevar answered. "He has absorbed the energy of the Stars and is using it to fuel his own selfish needs. No one's wishes are being granted because he has harnessed all the power."
"He drained your powers away to nothing," Muskular continued. "You two are the only ones who are equipped to bring peace back to the kingdom, but you will need our assistance."
Misstar nodded. "If the seven of us are reunited atop this summit, we can bestow upon the two of you the legendary Supernova. We never thought that we would need such a powerful spell, but the time has come, and the Star children have risen."
Kalmar faded in and out. "Our energy is depleting. Bowser intends to force the Princess into marriage so that the Mushroom Kingdom will be his to control. But he has allied with an enemy that will test the very limits of you two. But the Stars will always be there to back you up, and you two should back up each other. Be strong, and you will prevail."
Eldstar's voice began to fade. "Children... know that we Stars... have known this day would come. Danielle... you were destined to be... a heroine from... the start. When you... met Brandon we... knew that he was... the one to be at your... side for the battle for tranquility..." The Star Spirits' images faded out. "Please, children... save the Kingdom..."
They were slowly lowered to the ground, and the earth beneath them quit pulsing. They slowly let go of the other's hand and stared at the bleak sky with a stunned expression.
"Dani..."
She hugged him. "We're okay."
"We gotta do this."
"We will."
They sat in silence for a few moments until finally he nodded. "Let's go back to Luigi's and sleep this excitement off. Please."
She smiled. "That sounds good."
***
The walk from the town to Luigi's house was dark, and Brandon held a small fire orb to light the path. His eyes looked every which way as the occasional Boo darted by. It made him uneasy to be able to see them. He picked up his pace. A sound came from the bushes, followed by deep and menacing laughter. The couple didn't bother to look back. Unequipped to fight, they bolted down the trail.
"Dani, c'mon!" He shouted over his shoulder. He was much faster than she was.
"I'm hurrying!" She replied.
"You're shooting lightning bolts over your shoulder! Damnit, leave it alone and let's go!"
The laughter echoed again, all around. It was as if they were surrounded. It was a terrifying ordeal. Brandon jumped into a thickly wooded area and, having extinguished his fire orb so he'd be harder to find, waited to see the soft glow of Dani's electrical abilities.
"Damnit, where the hell is she?" He whispered while catching his breath. She appeared in his line of sight and he nearly called out for her when a fireball crashed at her feet, sending her flying forward. He ducked behind a bush.
She landed against a tree and cried out softly from the impact. She limped slightly, and he could see her leg had been badly singed. He could feel the awful pain of every step she took.
"Well, well, Roy... looks like we caught us a runaway," Ludwig laughed a little bit at the girl's pathetic attempt to hobble away.
"Yeah, King Dad'll be happy with this catch, won't he, bro?" Roy's nasty voice held the trace of a smirk.
"Indeed, brother." They both took a step forward towards the girl, who was wincing in pain. "Let's wrap her up nice and pretty for King Dad, shall we?"
Brandon wanted to jump forward and help her, but as he was preparing to, a female voice pierced his mind.
"Don't do it. Stay hidden. It's better you escape than us both be captured."
"I'm not letting them take you," he found himself replying.
"Stay hidden, please! If we both are captured, it's hopeless! Please... I'll be fine..."
Closing his eyes tight and curling up into the bush that was hiding him, he tried to block out the sounds of the struggle. His heart was torn into pieces, and he quivered helplessly.
"Do you have the bag?" Ludwig asked his brother.
"Right here," Roy tossed him a large bag. They struggled and lifted their captive, who kicked and screamed, pushing her down into it. Once she was secured, Roy put it over his back. "King Dad'll be so thrilled, he'll go through the damn roof!"
Ludwig laughed. "Indeed! Now. Let us away back to Dark Land."
"What about the other kid?"
"He's useless without her."
The two Koopas disappeared in a cloud of smoke, taking Dani with them.
Brandon slowly stood up, noticing it was safe once again. He walked over to where she had last been standing and looked around as if waiting for her to pop up out of the ground. A soft wind blew past, then silenced. The sound of animals crawling through the nighttime brush resumed once again, and all was calm.
"Dani," he whined softly, looking up and looking both ways. He was a little bit numbed by the experience. Lighting another fireball into his palm, he made his way back to Luigi's.
"Where's Dani?" Luigi asked when Brandon arrived at the house.
The younger human was staring at the ground as he extinguished the fireball with a neglected drop of his hand. He murmured softly, inaudibly.
"Come again?"
"They took her," he said again, a bit louder, voice strained.
Luigi walked over quickly, putting his hands on Brandon's shoulders. "What? Are you okay?"
He shook his head. "No."
"Stars above. They finally have her."
The younger male walked ahead, seeming emotionally detached. His pace was robotic and he stared directly at his feet and nothing else. "They were right," he spoke in a saddened monotone.
"What? Who was right?" Luigi sat at his side.
He looked up, on the verge of crying. "I'm useless without her."